In Case You Haven't Heard…

Letting out a swear word in a moment of frustration might feel cathartic — and research suggests it could be beneficial, too. According to an APA news release, a study published in American Psychologist indicates that swearing can boost physical performance by helping people overcome inhibitions and push harder during strength and endurance tests. “In many situations, people hold themselves back — consciously or unconsciously — from using their full strength,” said study author Richard Stephens, Ph.D., of Keele University in the U.K. “Swearing is an easily available way to help yourself feel focused, confident and less distracted, and ‘go for it’ a little more.” Researchers conducted two experiments with 192 participants, asking them to repeat either a swear word of their choice or a neutral word every two seconds while performing a chair pushup. Afterward, participants answered questions about their mental state, including measures of positive emotion, distraction, self‐confidence and psychological “flow”— a state of pleasant, focused immersion. Overall, participants who swore supported their body weight significantly longer than those who repeated a neutral word. Combining these results with earlier research, the authors concluded that swearing improves strength through state disinhibition. The article, “Don't Hold Back: Swearing Improves Strength Through State Disinhibition,” is published in American Psychologist .