Nothing ruins a peaceful evening faster than coming across a spider in the middle of the night. Your heart races as you spy those eight legs scurrying across your ceiling or wall. Everything seems more intense and threatening in the dark. It becomes impossible to sleep when you know you have got an unwelcome visitor sharing your bed.
Some people have spider-specific sleep anxiety from simply seeing spiders. They examine their beds several times before getting into them or keep the lights on throughout the night. Such behaviors can interfere with sleep quality and overall health. More info can be found inside our guide to help you prevent spiders and get a peaceful sleep.
Different Stages Of Seeing a Spider At Midnight
Stage 1: The Initial Shock
The earlier you notice the spider in the dark, the more immediate the shock. Your body momentarily converges as your brain attempts to process what you are looking at. As you concentrate exclusively on those moving legs, time seems to decelerate. You breathe fast and shallow.
This primary response occurs in seconds. Your nervous system initiates the fight-or-flight response in short order. Adrenaline surges through your veins, your heart starts beating faster, and your muscles tense up. Many say they feel like they are watching a horror movie in real life.
Stage 2: The Reality Check
Once the initial panic has died down, you go into reality check mode. You probably blink a couple of times or rub your eyes to be sure you are seeing what you are seeing. Your brain immediately begins asking questions like, “Is that even a spider?” or “How big is it actually?”
This is where you attempt to evaluate the situation rationally. Perhaps you would switch on more lights to see more clearly. But fear can also be blinding. You see things, and they make the spider look bigger or worse than it actually is.
Stage 3: The Decision Paralysis
After you establish for sure that there is a spider in front of you, indecision often takes over. You have some options, but are paralyzed as to what to do. Do you try to take a picture of it, kill it, or just leave the room?
You may deliberate on your choice for several minutes. Fear could leave you rooted where you stand, while logic is yelling at you to move. A lot of people get hung up in this stage and can not go any further, and can not go back. The erratic nature of the spider’s movement further complicates decision-making.
Stage 4: The Action Phase
You will eventually have to do something. This can include picking up a shoe, a cup, or a piece of paper to deal with the spider. Others woke family members for help. The others opt to vacate the room until morning light.
It really depends on what you are comfortable with and what your experience has been. The execution is rarely as seamless as it has been plotted. Spiders frequently vanish when it is time to do something, which is a source of added frustration and anxiety.
Stage 5: The Aftermath
If you have disposed of the spider, there is the aftermath. And even if you managed to shoo away the spider, good luck trying to fall asleep. You are still awake, and you are scanning the room for possible danger. Any shadow, any movement you see.
This stage may last for hours or even for more extended periods. There are those for whom spiders assume a larger presence after one particular evening. You may end up investigating corners and crevices more often. The memory of that event can provoke anxiety in subsequent bedtimes.
Next Steps to Take After Seeing a Spider
- Calm yourself and take a deep breath
- Flip on bright lights
- The glass and paper trick
- Analyze your bedding
- Clear the clutter
- Use natural repellents like peppermint oil, conker, and cedar wood can deter spiders naturally
- Log common spider sightings
