We often express our emotions by swearing when we’re stressed or things aren’t going our way. Have you ever found yourself unintentionally swearing and feeling better or less stressed afterward? We’ve delved into whether this phenomenon is simply a mood thing or if it has scientific backing.
The cultural phenomenon of swearing
Swearing is one cultural phenomenon that requires a shared understanding within a specific community, language group, society, nation, or religion. Swearing is closely associated with emotions, ranging from joy and surprise to pain and regret.
The different swearing cultures around the world
Do different countries have different swearing cultures? In Spain, it’s common to swear using complete sentences with a subject, verb, and object. In Russia, there are so many offensive words that almost any statement can appear offensive. In China, swearing has often involved cursing the offender’s ancestors for generations. These characteristics indicate that while the content of swearing varies by culture, the act of swearing is common across human cultures.
Why is swearing often composed of harsh sounds?
Swearing is often composed of harsh sounds. Sounds like plosives or double consonants effectively express strong and intense emotions. From a psychological perspective, when you’re feeling frustrated, rather than staying silent, you might try to compensate with something – swearing, in this case. This can give you a sense of receiving vital energy or power and make you feel alive.
Does swearing help when you’re in pain or irritated?
Is there a correlation between swearing and pain? A study at a British university tested this correlation and found that the group who swore could endure pain for a more extended period. Swearing can make you feel good and help you forget the pain by releasing endorphins. While it doesn’t solve the fundamental problem, it can reduce stress and somewhat correct emotional imbalances.
Situations when swearing feels helpful
An interesting fact is that light swearing among co-workers can help relieve stress and improve work performance. Swearing can enhance group cohesion and help relieve stress. According to experts, not only swearing but also shouting, hitting a punching bag, and other activities can eliminate aggression and alleviate stress.
The stress hormone released when swearing
When you swear or act violently, the stress hormone cortisol is released. This hormone affects the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is one of the areas that governs rationality and controls instincts. However, if the stress hormone damages the prefrontal cortex, you may not be able to control your instincts and may display aggressive behavior or swearing.
What happens if you swear often during adolescence?
If you swear often during adolescence, the prefrontal cortex may not develop properly, leading to repeated impulsive and violent behavior in adulthood. The cortisol released from constant swearing can also impair vocabulary and thinking abilities. Stress hormones can damage the corpus callosum, which allows the left and right brain to exchange information. If the corpus callosum is damaged, the left brain’s perception abilities and the right brain’s sensory abilities cannot function smoothly. This leads to problems with vocabulary and thinking abilities, which require proper use of both the left and right brain.
People who suffer from verbal abuse are also at risk
Swearing not only harms the person who does it, but it can also damage the brain of the person who suffers from verbal abuse. When the brains of people who were verbally abused during their youth were analyzed, it was found that their corpus callosum, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus were significantly shrunken compared to those who hadn’t suffered verbal abuse. Many of these individuals also reported feelings of anxiety, depression, and alienation.
Developing other stress relief habits
While it’s possible to swear when angry, this isn’t a solution. Swearing tends to hurt not only yourself but others; if swearing has become a habit, it’s advisable to break it. If you have negative emotions, you can prevent swearing by practicing explaining or expressing them directly. It’s necessary to develop habits like doing sweat-inducing exercises, walking, or engaging in your favorite hobbies to manage your emotions instead of swearing to relieve stress.
Adults should set the example first
Children and adults should set the example first. The reckless swearing of teenagers is no different from what they’ve learned from the adults around them. It’s not just teenagers who should be scolded and changed – adults need to change first. As the saying goes, “speech reveals character,” the words you use reflect your character. Therefore, everyone should make an effort to express their emotions in other ways rather than swearing and use proper and polite language.
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