Suspecting your house is haunted can be an unsettling experience. Strange noises in the night, unexplained shadows, or a persistent feeling of unease can leave you wondering: Is my home haunted? More importantly, what can I do about it? Whether it’s flickering lights, cold spots, or objects moving inexplicably, these phenomena can disrupt your peace and make you feel powerless in your own space.
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Signs Your House Might Be Haunted
Before taking action, it’s essential to identify whether your home is truly haunted. Paranormal activity can manifest in various ways, and recognizing these signs can help you determine the next steps.
Common indicators include unexplained noises like footsteps or whispers, sudden temperature drops known as cold spots, and electrical disturbances such as flickering lights or appliances turning on or off. You might notice objects disappearing or relocating without explanation, or feel a tingling sensation on the back of your neck as if being watched.
Other eerie signs involve unusual smells—phantom scents like sulfur, perfume, or decay with no identifiable source. Pets may act strangely, barking or growling at empty corners, while you experience mood swings, irritability, or vivid nightmares. Physical sensations like chills, nausea, or even mild hallucinations could point to a presence. In severe cases, you might see shadowy figures, apparitions, or experience poltergeist activity where items are thrown or moved aggressively.
According to a 2013 HuffPost/YouGov poll, approximately 45% of Americans believe in ghosts or spirits, suggesting that experiences like these are not uncommon. A more recent survey indicates that nearly half of people have encountered what they perceive as supernatural phenomena, with many reporting these exact symptoms in their homes.
Recognizing these signs early allows you to address the issue before it escalates, whether through logical debunking or spiritual cleansing. If you notice patterns like activity at the “witching hour” around 3 a.m., or recurring phantom footsteps, it might indicate a residual haunting—a replay of past events—or an intelligent spirit seeking interaction.
Step 1: Research Your Home’s History
Understanding your home’s past can provide clues about why paranormal activity might be occurring. Tragic events, violent deaths, or emotionally charged moments from previous occupants can leave behind residual energy, leading to ghostly manifestations. This research helps contextualize the haunting—whether it’s a residual haunting replaying past events or an intelligent spirit seeking closure.
Start by gathering local records. Visit your local library or historical society to access property deeds, census data, and old news clippings. Look for details on past owners, any deaths on the property, or traumatic incidents like accidents, suicides, or even historical violence such as battles or asylums nearby. Neighbors can provide anecdotal stories about unusual occurrences or the home’s reputation as a stigmatized house.
Dig deeper into the land itself. Was the house built on a site with a contested history, such as old battlefields, cemeteries, or poor farms where abuse occurred?
Such locations are often associated with unsettled spirits, as per the Stone Tape Theory, which suggests that emotional energy from traumatic events can be “recorded” in the environment, replaying like a loop. For example, areas near Gettysburg are known for hauntings due to Civil War battles, where residual energy manifests as phantom sounds or apparitions.
Uncommon insights include examining vintage maps or geological surveys for underground features like fault lines, which some believe influence energy flows and attract entities. High electromagnetic fields from natural sources can amplify sensations of unease, mimicking paranormal phenomena.
If your home has antique furniture from thrift sources or auctions, research those items; objects can carry attachments from previous owners, like a recliner linked to someone’s final days, creating an “imprint” that causes disturbances.
Once armed with this information, you might find patterns matching your experiences. For instance, if a former resident died suddenly in a specific room, their spirit could be lingering due to unfinished business, leading to cold chills or distorted voices.
Acknowledging this history can sometimes resolve a haunting by validating the spirit’s presence or addressing unresolved issues. In one case, a family discovered their home was on the site of a 19th-century asylum, explaining the eerie whispers and shadowy figures they encountered.
Knowing your home’s history can also inform your approach. If trauma is involved, view the spirit as on a healing journey, not a threat. This perspective shifts your mindset, reducing anxiety and potentially diminishing the manifestations. Remember, most hauntings stem from human emotions like grief or anger, not malice.
By researching thoroughly, you’re taking control, setting the stage for effective resolution. Incorporate cultural lore about the area—local legends of ghouls, specters, or ethereal residents can provide clues to the type of entity, whether benevolent or mischievous.
Experts like George Matthis from the National Society of Paranormal Investigation and Research emphasize that true haunted houses aren’t common, but increased awareness from TV shows has led to more reports.
If your research reveals a violent history, such as a 2014 attack in a home that left it vacant despite being in a desirable neighborhood, it might explain persistent foreboding feelings. This step not only informs but empowers, turning fear into informed action against supernatural disturbances.
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Step 2: Document Paranormal Activity
Keeping a detailed record of paranormal experiences helps identify patterns and provides evidence for professionals if you seek their help. Documentation also aids in distinguishing between supernatural and natural phenomena, preventing you from inventing a haunted scenario due to fear.
Create a journal or digital log. Note the date, time, exact location, and description of each incident. Include sensory details: Was there a sour odor, a blood-curdling scream, or a holographic-like shadow?
Record environmental factors like weather patterns, as storms can heighten electromagnetic activity, mimicking ghostly phenomena. Track witnesses—did family members or guests experience the same? Note their emotional states, as heightened anxiety can amplify perceptions.
Go beyond basics by monitoring battery drainage in devices, as spirits allegedly draw energy to manifest, causing quick depletion. Place motion-activated cameras in hotspots like attics or basements, where activity often concentrates due to stagnant energy.
Track pet behaviors too—dogs growling or cats hissing at invisible intruders can indicate presence, thanks to their heightened senses to otherworldly energies.
Uncommon tips include using an EMF meter to detect spikes near fuse boxes or electronics, which might explain dizziness mistaken for spirit influence.
Record audio for Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP), where whispers or voices appear on playback, often saying names or phrases tied to the home’s history. Apps like voice recorders can capture these, but analyze for patterns like activity during the witching hour.
Analyze your logs for patterns. Do events occur at specific times, like 2 a.m., when lights turn on/off or objects move? Are they tied to certain rooms or objects, such as a vintage clock associated with a deceased owner? This data helps debunk myths; for example, creaky floorboards might be due to settling, not phantom footsteps.
Documentation also supports mental health. Persistent fear can lead to irritability or sleep issues, so logging reduces the “am I crazy?” dilemma. If patterns emerge, like recurring phantom scents of perfume linked to a deceased relative, it could signify a benign visit rather than a malevolent haunting.
In practice, experts like Ross Allison from Advance Ghost Hunters recommend timing sounds to see if they’re electrical in origin, such as from faulty wiring. One example: a family documented banging under their bed, later tied to a poor farm history on the land.
This step builds a case, whether for self-assurance or expert review. Over time, your records might reveal the activity’s nature—residual echoes or interactive entities—guiding your next moves toward cleansing or communication.
Step 3: Rule Out Natural Explanations
Before attributing phenomena to the paranormal, eliminate mundane causes. Many “hauntings” have logical explanations, such as structural issues or environmental factors, and debunking them restores peace of mind.
Inspect structural elements. Creaking noises could be expanding pipes or settling foundations, especially in older homes with sections from the 1800s. Hire a plumber or inspector to check for gaps causing drafts, which create cold spots or slamming doors. Faulty seals around windows can let in breezes, mimicking eerie chills.
Electrical problems are common culprits. Flickering lights or appliances malfunctioning might indicate faulty wiring or shorts—consult an electrician to avoid fire hazards. High EMF from outlets can cause tingling sensations or hallucinations, mimicking a presence. Use an electromagnetic field meter to sweep rooms for spikes near fuse boxes.
Pests like rodents, squirrels, or insects produce scratching sounds or object movements. Set traps or call an exterminator; bats in attics can create eerie flaps. Animals under trailers have been mistaken for banging from spirits.
Environmental factors play a role. Carbon monoxide poisoning, from faulty appliances, leads to nausea, visions, or disorientation—install detectors immediately, as it’s a silent killer often confused with hauntings. Strong electrical currents can cause dizziness, so check with an infrared thermometer for air leaks.
Uncommon advice: Conduct an energy audit with thermodynamic tools to map temperature variations, revealing insulation issues. Check for infrasound from fans or traffic, which induces unease or hallucinations. Scan for gas leaks, as they can create foreboding feelings, as experienced by broker Mike Carroll in a historic home.
Rule out personal factors. Stress or sleep apnea can cause vivid nightmares or mood swings. A mental health check-in ensures you’re not projecting anxiety onto the environment. If pets avoid rooms or bark at nothing, it might be pests, not presences.
By systematically eliminating these, you focus on genuine anomalies. This step not only saves fear but might uncover home improvements, like sealing gaps or updating wiring, enhancing overall well-being. As Cris August from OC Ghosts & Legends notes, supernatural activity should only be considered after ruling out logical explanations, preventing mental distress from exaggerated threats.
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Step 4: Protect Your Space with Physical Barriers
If natural explanations are ruled out and activity persists, physical barriers can help protect your home from negative energy or spirits, creating a sense of sanctuary.
Mirrors are believed to deflect negative energy or trap spirits in some spiritual traditions. Place a small mirror facing outward at entry points like doors or windows, or in areas with frequent activity. Black obsidian mirrors, with their grounding properties, are particularly effective for protection due to their ability to absorb and transmute etheric residues, as used in occult practices.
Salt barriers are ancient protectors across cultures. Use sea salt or black salt—made with charcoal—for lines across thresholds, windowsills, or in corners. Leave it for weeks to absorb negativity, then dispose outside, away from the property. Sprinkle saltwater in corners or over thresholds as a repellent, using inexpensive table salt for this purpose.
Protective symbols add layers of defense. Draw runes, sigils, or crosses under doormats or on walls, invoking ancient rituals for warding off unwanted entities. For example, a pentagram or hamsa can enhance spiritual defenses.
Uncommon methods: Place shallow dishes of vinegar in rooms; its weak acid is thought to dissolve lingering energies. Burn asafoetida, despite its foul onion-sulfur odor, as a powerful cleanser in some traditions. Incorporate crystals like black tourmaline in corners to block bad vibes, or selenite to purify the aura of the space.
These barriers create a sense of control and may deter spirits from lingering. They’re simple, low-cost methods that can be combined with other techniques for added effect, such as during a full moon for amplified energy. As expert Sterling Moon advises, always consider the source of materials to ensure positive energy aligns with your intentions, preventing inadvertent attraction of more activity.
In one case, a family used salt lines around their bed to stop nighttime disturbances, finding relief from what they believed was a mischievous poltergeist. This step empowers you to reclaim your space from ethereal intruders.
Step 5: Use Plants to Balance Energy
Plants aren’t just decorative; they purify air and energy, making your home less hospitable to spirits by absorbing negativity and promoting harmony.
Aloe vera wards off negativity with its protective qualities, thriving in sunny spots. Peace lilies absorb toxins and negative vibes, creating a calming atmosphere. Rosemary is associated with cleansing and protection in folklore, while snake plants neutralize bad energy and survive in low light. Jade plants promote prosperity and positive flow, ideal for entryways.
Place these strategically in basements, attics, or corners where stale energy accumulates, as dying plants can attract unwanted forces—maintain them well. Uncommon tip: Use lavender for its calming scent, reducing stress that feeds entities, or mugwort in sachets for enhanced psychic protection. Combine with amethyst crystals under pots for amplified effects against supernatural disturbances.
Plants foster positive vibes, countering the toxic bonds of unresolved emotions from deceased loved ones. In cultural practices, like Italian folklore, herbs like bay leaves are used in floor washes, but potted versions provide ongoing balance. Experts note that a clean, green space can repel low-vibe entities, as they thrive in chaos.
One example: A homeowner placed peace lilies in a room with cold spots, reporting reduced activity after the plants flourished. This natural approach is eco-friendly and enhances your home’s aesthetic while addressing hauntings.
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Step 6: Cleanse Your Home with Sound
Sound vibrations disrupt stagnant or negative energies, making it an effective tool for clearing spirits from your space.
Ring bells or chimes in corners, starting from the top floor and moving clockwise through rooms. Singing bowls, especially Tibetan ones, produce resonances that shatter negativity—strike or rub in a circular motion while visualizing expulsion.
Drumming rhythms break blockages; use a shamanic drum for potency. Play uplifting music, like classical or spiritual chants, to raise vibrations and make the environment inhospitable to low-energy entities.
Uncommon: Use a “smell bell” for foul odors associated with malevolent presences, or incorporate affirmations during sessions, such as “Only positive energies are welcome here.” For extra effect, combine with incense like patchouli or palo santo.
Perform the cleanse during dusk or full moon for heightened efficacy, ensuring windows are open to allow energies to exit. Repeat as needed for persistent activity, as entities may fight to stay. As per Wiccan traditions, perseverance is key, and this can help lost souls transition.
In a reported case, rhythmic drumming resolved knocking sounds in a home with a traumatic history, providing lasting peace.
Step 7: Maintain a Positive Environment
A joyful, high-vibrational home repels low-vibe entities, as they often thrive in negativity or chaos. Creating an atmosphere filled with positivity is one of the most effective ghost removal techniques to make your space less appealing to unwanted spirits. By focusing on uplifting energy, you can transform your living environment into a sanctuary that discourages paranormal activity and promotes harmony.
Start by keeping your spaces clean, decluttered, and well-lit to reduce stagnant energy, which can act like a conduit for spectral presences. Clutter often harbors residual energies from past events, so regularly organizing your home helps circulate fresh air and prevents the buildup of eerie occurrences.
Burn frankincense or light white candles for purity, symbolizing light over darkness—these simple acts can clear negative vibes and invite benevolent forces. Meditate daily to elevate your own energy, filling the home with positivity through activities like family gatherings, laughter, or even playing uplifting music. This not only raises the vibrational frequency but also counters the sapping effects that some spirits have on household electronics or moods.
An uncommon approach is to host bonding rituals, such as unpacking cherished items with intent, to infuse love and counter heartbreaking histories tied to the property. For instance, if your research reveals a tragic event like a family loss, intentionally creating joyful memories in those spaces can overwrite the residual echoes.
Avoid negativity at all costs; it infiltrates like toxic gas, feeding entities that draw from fear or discord. Use floor washes made with lemon, cinnamon, or bay leaves boiled in water to neutralize vibes—wipe down surfaces while visualizing the expulsion of any lingering unease. This psychic shielding method, drawn from traditional practices, helps maintain a balanced aura in your home.
Incorporate protective elements like placing bowls of salt in corners or using black tourmaline crystals to absorb negativity. These tools, often overlooked in standard guides, create a barrier against mischievous spirits while enhancing the overall ambiance.
Bringing in plants such as lavender or clear quartz can further purify the air, as they are believed to transmute heavy rooms into lighter ones. According to psychic medium tips, acknowledging any ancestral spirits positively—perhaps by setting out food offerings like sweets or gin—can lead to voluntary departure, turning potential disturbances into peaceful coexistences.
This creates an inhospitable environment for malevolent poltergeists, as benevolent ones may stay if the space feels harmonious.
Expert Sterling Moon notes that acknowledging spirits positively can lead to their voluntary departure, emphasizing that most are not evil but simply seeking closure. In one example, a family played cheerful music daily, reducing poltergeist activity tied to a past flood tragedy, proving that consistent positivity can alleviate fears and restore comfort.
Remember, maintaining positive energy isn’t just about rituals; it’s about mindset. Trust your intuition to detect when the atmosphere shifts, and combine these steps with daily affirmations like “Only light and love reside here.” This holistic approach not only deters unexplained noises or cold spots but also improves your mental well-being, making your home a true haven from the enigmatic world of the supernatural.
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Step 8: Avoid Inviting Negative Energy
Certain activities can inadvertently attract or amplify paranormal activity, so it’s crucial to avoid them to prevent escalation and maintain control over your space. Understanding ghost triggers helps in creating a protective barrier against unwanted intrusions, ensuring your home remains a safe haven rather than a conduit for spectral disturbances.
Steer clear of Ouija boards or untrained séances, which can open portals and invite unwanted entities, leading to increased knocking, physical disturbances, or even ectoplasm-like manifestations.
Warnings from experts emphasize that these tools can worsen situations if not handled by professionals, as they often invite judgmental spirits or amplify residual energy from burial sites. Instead of engaging in such practices, focus on educating yourself about phenomena to avoid misinformation that could heighten your fears.
An uncommon tip is to refrain from snoop-like investigations without protection, as provoking or taunting spirits escalates mischief—think slamming doors during renovations or items relocating mysteriously.
Negative emotions like fright or malice feed entities, per the idea that they draw from fear, so cultivate calm responses to any trippy dreams or goose bumps. If remodeling your home, be aware it may stir activity, as construction disturbs historical energy; plan ahead by smudging with Palo Santo or copal to cleanse the area beforehand.
To further avoid negatives, cover mirrors when not in use, especially in bedrooms, to prevent entities from entering during vulnerable times. This mirror smudging technique, using frankincense, helps block portals that spirits might use. Also, listen to your familiars—pets like dogs growling at corners can signal energy shifts, but rule out health issues first.
This step prevents accidental invitations, maintaining control over your space and reducing the risk of severe hauntings. By focusing on well-being and logical explanations for house creaking or shadow sightings, you can coexist peacefully without amplifying the unknown.
Step 9: Safeguard Your Sleep
Nighttime is when paranormal activity often intensifies, disrupting sleep and increasing anxiety due to the thinned veil during the witching hour. Protecting your sleep environment is essential for your well-being, as vivid nightmares or sensations of touch can stem from spiritual presences seeking attention.
Circle your bed with salt or lavender sachets to create a barrier against ethereal intruders, repelling them by compelling them to count grains or soothing with calming scents. Place amethyst or black tourmaline under pillows for peaceful dreams and to ward off negative visitors, as these crystals transmute energy and provide psychic shielding.
An uncommon method is to draw protective circles or sigils above beds, visualizing wards against apnea-like disturbances caused by entities—cast a circle of protection with your finger before sleep to ensure safe astral travel.
Use mugwort or chamomile for sachets to enhance rest and deter spirits, or tuck salt under the pillowcase for added repulsion. Recite Psalms 23 or 91 aloud for banishment, as suggested in religious cleansings, or make a food offering weekly to sweeten mischievous spirits.
Avoid bedroom mirrors to prevent entities from messing with your slumber, and cover them if needed. If waking at 3:15 a.m. with heavy rooms or goose bumps, this could indicate clairaudience or cold spots; address by lighting white candles for purification.
This ensures restful sleep, reducing vulnerability to ethereal intrusions and alleviating fears from trippy dreams. Example: A person used amethyst and salt, stopping bed-shaking incidents linked to a lost soul, highlighting how these safeguards can restore peace.
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Step 10: Communicate with the Spirit
If activity persists, consider addressing the spirit directly through spirit communication techniques. This approach requires calmness and respect to avoid escalating the situation, as spirits are often former people on a healing journey.
Speak aloud or telepathically, setting boundaries like “This is my home now; please respect my space.” For intelligent hauntings, ask questions to understand their needs, such as unfinished business or closure from past trauma. Use EVP recorders for responses, asking “What do you want?” or “Why are you here?” to capture whispering voices or impressions.
An uncommon strategy: Show empathy; spirits may be misfortunate souls seeking persuasion to move on, as per medium Lauren Nichols, who advises polite communication for mutual respect. Validate their presence but assert your right to peace, perhaps by researching house history to humanize them—e.g., if phantom scents link to a passed loved one, acknowledge it comfortingly.
Firm but kind dialogue often resolves issues, helping spirits transition. In one instance, acknowledging a spirit’s trauma led to its departure, proving that tarot readings or medium facilitation can evaluate intentions and stand ground against bad ones.
Step 11: Seek Professional Help
If DIY methods fail, professional intervention may be necessary for paranormal investigator advice. Paranormal investigators, mediums, or spiritual leaders can provide expertise and closure, especially for residual or malevolent types.
Investigators use tools like EMF meters, thermal cameras, and audio recorders to gather evidence and identify haunting types—residual, intelligent, or malevolent—spending hours analyzing, often free, as per George Matthis. Ensure they have credentials, affiliations, and no charges for services.
Mediums like Sterling Moon communicate directly, helping spirits cross over through dialogue or ceremonies. Spiritual leaders perform blessings or exorcisms if aligned with your beliefs, using holy water or shamanic practices.
Uncommon: Choose reputable groups avoiding charges or magical cleansings; have witnesses present and recreate events for accuracy. Verify experience in private residences and maintain confidentiality.
They assess and resolve, providing closure. In severe cases, follow-up vigils may be needed to alleviate persistent anomalies.
Additional Considerations for Severe Hauntings
In rare cases, hauntings may involve malevolent entities or poltergeists, requiring intensive measures beyond basic cleansings.
Signs: Physical harm like scratches, overwhelming fear, aggressive activity like thrown objects, or ectoplasm indicating high paranormal activity.
Actions: Seek immediate professional help from investigators or clergy for ghost cleansing rituals. Use holy water, Wiccan rituals, sage smudging, or temporary relocation to ensure safety. Research limestone theory if your home has such materials, cleaning with water and copal to release trapped energy.
Malevolent hauntings are rare, but prompt action ensures safety, as most spirits are not harmful but may need food offerings or boundary-setting for peaceful resolution.
Commonly Asked Questions
How can I tell if my house is haunted or if it’s just my imagination?
Document all experiences in a journal, noting dates, times, and details, then rule out natural causes like structural issues, pests, or carbon monoxide leaks. Consistent, unexplainable phenomena across multiple witnesses, such as cold spots or apparitions, suggest a haunting rather than imagination. Pets reacting strangely can also indicate presence.
Can I get rid of a ghost on my own?
Yes, many hauntings can be addressed with DIY methods like cleansing rituals using sage or sound, setting boundaries through communication, and maintaining positive energy. However, persistent or malevolent activity may require professional help from mediums or investigators to ensure complete resolution.
Are Ouija boards safe to use in a haunted house?
No, Ouija boards can open portals and invite additional unwanted entities, escalating activity like knocking or physical disturbances. Experts warn against them unless guided by experienced professionals, as they can turn a mild haunting into a more severe one.
What’s the difference between a residual and intelligent haunting?
A residual haunting is like a recording of past events replaying without interaction, often tied to traumatic history per the Stone Tape Theory. An intelligent haunting involves spirits that can respond to communication, move objects purposefully, or seek closure, requiring different approaches like direct dialogue.
Can pets sense ghosts?
Yes, pets often have heightened senses and may react to paranormal presences by barking at empty spaces, avoiding rooms, or acting agitated. This can be a clue to activity, as animals detect energies humans miss, though rule out pests or health issues first.
How long does it take to resolve a haunting?
The timeline varies; simple residual hauntings may resolve with cleansing in days or weeks, while complex intelligent or malevolent cases could take months of professional intervention, follow-up investigations, and repeated rituals.
Is it safe to live in a haunted house?
Most hauntings are harmless, involving benign spirits or residual energy that doesn’t intend harm. However, if activity includes physical threats or overwhelming fear, address it promptly with experts to ensure safety and mental well-being.
Can I sell a haunted house?
Yes, but check local laws for disclosure of “stigmatized” properties due to paranormal activity or past deaths. Honesty is recommended, as buyers may discover through neighbors or research, and some find haunted homes charming.
What should I do if remodeling stirs up activity?
Remodeling can disturb residual energies, increasing phenomena. Pause work if needed, cleanse the space with sage or salt, and communicate boundaries. Consult investigators if escalation occurs, as changes might release trapped imprints.
Are all ghosts evil or demonic?
No, the vast majority are not evil; experts report rare demonic cases. Most are lost souls or residual echoes from human emotions like grief, not malice. Approach with respect rather than fear.
How can I protect my children from hauntings?
Children may be more sensitive, so cleanse their rooms with gentle methods like lavender sachets or positive music. Teach them not to fear, set family boundaries, and monitor for patterns. If needed, involve a medium for child-friendly communication.
What if the haunting is attached to an object?
Research antique items for attachments; if suspected, cleanse with salt water or remove the object. Spirits can bind to possessions, so donating or burying might resolve activity tied to it.
Can technology help detect ghosts?
Yes, tools like EMF meters for energy spikes, infrared cameras for cold spots, and EVP recorders for voices can provide evidence. However, interpret results cautiously, as natural factors can mimic signals.
Why do hauntings happen more at night?
Nighttime quiet amplifies subtle phenomena, and lower human activity allows energies to manifest. The “witching hour” around 3 a.m. is folklore-linked to thinned veils between worlds, but scientifically, it’s when EMF is less interfered with.
Should I tell friends or family about the haunting?
Share if it helps reduce isolation, but avoid inside the home if it encourages activity. Discussing can validate experiences but might amplify if the spirit seeks attention.
