Take deep breaths. It helps to calm your nerves. Just focus on your breathing for a while until the initial shock or uneasiness passes.
Well, first of all, try to remind yourself that it's just a story. Ghosts aren't real in a scientific sense. You could distract yourself by doing something you like, such as watching a comedy or listening to upbeat music. It'll help shift your focus away from the spooky thoughts.
You could try to avoid reading or listening to such stories for a while. Just focus on positive and light - hearted things, like funny movies or cute animal videos.
It could be that the ghost story triggers some deep-seated fears or emotions within you. Or maybe the way it's told is very vivid and immersive, making you feel overly involved.
You should keep it to yourself. Pretend you never heard it and don't spread it around.
You could limit your exposure to ghost stories. If you know they overwhelm you, avoid reading or watching things related to them. Instead, focus on positive and real - life things that make you feel good.
First of all, don't react in a way that makes her feel uncomfortable if she realizes you've heard. Just keep it to yourself. This is a very personal and private aspect of her life. You can try to shift your focus away from it and not dwell on it. Respecting her privacy is crucial in this situation. Also, if possible, try to create an environment where she doesn't feel self - conscious about it in case she suspects you've heard.
You can listen to some calming music after hearing such a story. It will soothe your mind and help you get over the uneasiness. For example, classical music like Mozart or Bach can be very relaxing.
In dark rooms, the sense of being overwhelmed might be due to the lack of light which can play tricks on our minds. In a ghost story context, it could be the anticipation of something supernatural. Maybe the stillness and the shadows seem to take on a life of their own. Our minds are wired to fear the unknown, and dark rooms are full of it. When combined with the idea of a ghost story, our fears multiply as we expect the unexpected, like a cold touch or a strange sound.
Perhaps it's a personal account of someone who has a phobia of the dark and their fear is intensified by the idea of a ghost in the dark rooms. It could be that they have had a previous encounter with something unexplainable in a dark room, and now every time they enter one, they get overwhelmed. Without more context, it's hard to say more precisely.
When you hear Vernon's ghost story, you may experience a range of emotions. It could start with a sense of curiosity as the story unfolds. Then, as the spooky parts come in, you might feel a chill down your spine. There could be elements of suspense and fear, especially if the story is well - told. For example, if Vernon describes a haunted house in his story, you'll start picturing the dark corridors and creaking floors in your mind, adding to the overall eerie feeling.