A common trait that most adults share, regardless of race or location, is that we swear. Whether it is a frequent occurrence to pepper your conversations with expletives, or if you only say them on rare occasions, you are experiencing some pretty good side-effects.
Some people might frown upon swearing, and think it is degrading, oafish behaviour- but it’s not. Well, not always. Swearing has some good aspects as well, and the act of saying a “bad word” can have many unexpected benefits.
1. Relieves pain and increases pain tolerance.
If you are a “chain-swearer,” or someone who uses swear words like a sailor who was trained by Andrew Dice Clay, then you are probably not going to experience this benefit as much as someone who speaks them only a few times a day.
For the latter, they will experience a surge of adrenaline when the ‘fight or flight’ response is activated, from swearing.
This triggers and analgesic effect, and can effectively alter our pain perception.
2. Control and confidence.
Swearing can help us to release our fears and gain control over our feelings in certain situations. When we swear, we are showing ourselves that we are not powerless and can fight back- even if it is with mere words.
Saying a swear word can give you confidence, especially if you rarely use them. Like Mark Twain said, ‘When angry, count to four; when very angry, swear.’
3. Self-expression.
When something is important to you, swearing can elevate that feeling and let others know as well. Take football games for example.
Fans swear all the time to express outrage towards the referees, or immense joy when their team scores. Swearing allows you to express yourself in ways that suit your moods and emotions, whether they be good or bad.
4. Mental and physical health.
“Sentence enhancers,” as I like to call them, can do some things of which you might not be aware. Psychology Today says, “The health benefits of swearing include increased circulation, elevated endorphins, and an overall sense of calm, control, and well-being. ”
It is important to keep in mind that we are all unique individuals and people who swear are not less of anything because they do so. They are not less spiritual, less intelligent, or less imaginative. Keep your judgments to yourself, and let people live their lives in the ways that works best for them.
Besides, it’s good for you.
I agree! One thing we have to consider is the fact of who does swearing mostly affect? Or, who considers it detrimental? And mostly that’s people indoctrinated or so submerged into religion that they wont even consider anything else being “divine” unless it’s what their religious leaders or organizations dictate. Studying history we know religion has been used as a tool to dumb-down, ignorantly pacify, and manipulate the masses under one system of control. Down to a level to where if you even think of something not allowed by the church its a sin and unmoral (i.e. the natural instinct of sexual attraction). So anything that doesn’t fit into the religious paradigm is actually divine and spiritual in my opinion! Why? Because at the end of the day religion has subjugated us down to a “host people” while it operates as an energy vampire instead of allowing us to be the individually enlightened and spiritual beings we’re supposed to be. Its just like the matrix which dictated everyone to be a slave and non-reactionary to their oppression. The only way Neo could shatter the illusion or break free was to literally “kick-ass.” Not sit around and be so called “righteous.” This was contrary to the matrix officiating everyone to be a slave and submissive. Just think of the turmoil that occurs when we continue to suppress our natural desires and instincts. No I’m not saying to go around and kill people for the hell of it, but the Gnostics taught that upon spiritual enlightenment we as beings surpass the demiurges mundane laws (i.e 10 commandments, laws of Moses, earthly law, etc) and exist above it. Basically because all of this is an illusion as your real “self” exist in the pleroma or the haven of the gods. So, F**K religion!