There are a million ways we can handle stress — yoga, exercise, sleep, music, TV, drinking, friends, long baths, eating. But screaming? Who says screaming is good for you?
If you haven’t stuck your face in a pillow and let out a great big scream, you’re missing out on one of life’s unexpected joys. Yep, screaming is good for you.
When we scream, our body releases “feel good” chemicals that we all crave, says Dr. Peter Calafiura, an American psychiatrist. “Yelling might trigger some endorphins, a natural high. You might feel calm, and it might even be a little addictive,” says Calafiura on the Truly blog.
There is little question that screaming is good for you, releases tensions, and feels wonderful. From a mountain top, during your shower, in your pillow, with a group of friends, it doesn’t matter where, when, or how, just open your mouth and belt it out. As the saying goes, better out than in. A mild suggestion is that you warn your friends, roommates, or neighbors for obvious reasons.
Just for fun, video yourself screaming and send it to us at ccpa@smu.edu. Who knows, we may produce a compilation of screams so we can all benefit.
1, 2, 3, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh. Now doesn’t that feel better?