How do you feel about Halloween? Getting in on the dress up action or helping your kids find a costume? Or are you just looking forward to November 1st?

As a holistic marriage and family therapist, I focus on the different ways that people can feel better physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. My mission is to help people “love themselves to peace” which I believe is the key to health, happiness, success, and world peace.

As I look at this holiday, I notice some important benefits of celebrating its festivities. For starters, people have fun dressing up as their homes, offices, and themselves. Having fun is beneficial at all ages. It reduces stress, helps us to be more positive and balances our lives.

Second, most people have been programmed by their parents and society to conform to a specific dress code. However, on this holiday, everyone is encouraged to wear whatever they want and be as outrageous as they choose.

Third, we have many aspects of our personality, and we often hide them from others and from ourselves. On Halloween we have the opportunity to express a different part of ourselves. For example, John was brought up to be a calm and pleasant boy. On Halloween he loves to be a loud and scary ghost. What a healer it is to express this side of yourself in a safe and fun way.

The fourth gift of Halloween is that it’s an excuse to take a break from busy schedules to party and socialize.

Another benefit of Halloween parties is that people who are feeling shy in groups are more likely to attend these events. Wearing masks and costumes can help them feel less self-conscious and gives them the opportunity to feel comfortable in an unusual situation.

This holiday also offers children the opportunity to dress up, go to people’s houses and trick-or-treat at this time of year. They experience the gift of receiving. Healthy snacks, small safe toys, or coins would be great options to give these little costumed ones.

Meanwhile, children offer others the opportunity to experience the gift of giving (in this case, candy). It is very healthy to enjoy the gift of giving and receiving.

The eighth benefit of this holiday is the fun adults and children have as a family project picking pumpkins, cutting them into faces, and lighting the inserted candles. In these busy times, quality family time is a gift for everyone involved. Of course, decorating the home inside and out, making Halloween cookies, etc. They are more fun family activities.

Personally, I love going to the stores on October 31 and seeing how the vendors dress. It’s fun for me especially to watch the bank tellers in their outlandish costumes. So even if I don’t participate in all of the above, I can still have fun on that special day.

The tenth way we can benefit from this fall vacation is that it gives us an excuse to get together with our neighbors. When adults accompany children to other homes to say “Trick or treat!” they can also introduce themselves to the people of the area.

In short, there are many ways in which you can appreciate this holiday and how you can participate. If you focus on the positive, you can enjoy October 31, no matter what you choose to do.