Go Ahead and Swear: The New Pain Management

I think most of us have a go-to swear word. The term you mutter, shout, or scream when you stub your toe in the middle of the night. It turns out that swearing might be a viable form of pain relief. In a British study that seems like a hybrid of interrogation techniques and slumber party antics, college students were asked to immerse a hand into cold water. They were timed to see how long they could endure the freezing water. To help focus mentally, the students were allowed to chant either a neutral mantra or repeat a swear word over and over again. When cursing, the students were on average able to endure the pain of the cold water for 40 seconds longer and said they felt less pain. To learn why, just read more. The connection between expletives and pain relief is not really clear, but a deep and primal part of the brain is activated when swearing, which is not usually activated when speaking. This area of the brain is related to the flight-or-fight response to stress and when activated it increases the heart rate, which makes us less sensitive to pain. Richard Keele the psychologist that led the study said, “Swearing is such a common response to pain that there has to be an underlying reason why we do it. I would advise people, if they hurt themselves, to swear.” Like most things in life, moderation is key for a string of expletives to work as pain management. The more you swear the less potent the pain relief. Do weigh in on your relationship with swearing over on TrèsSugar .

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Go Ahead and Swear: The New Pain Management

Go Kayaking to Strengthen Core and Upper Body

If you’re too hot to run, bike, or hike outside, but you still want to enjoy the Summer weather, exercising on water is a great way to beat the heat. Kayaking is one of my favorite water sports because it’s safe to do alone, or if you prefer some company, you can kayak with a group of people. The paddling action will effectively tone your arms, back, and abs. Sitting upright will also increase flexibility in your hamstrings and improve your posture. It’s a great complement if you’re a runner or biker, since most of the work is done by your upper body and back. You can paddle hard to burn calories and work your muscles, and if you get tired, you can slow down or take a break and just let the current float you along. The best part is that if you get hot, you can jump in the water for instant refreshment. To find out how to get started read more. Rent a kayak at a nearby lake, river, or bay, and it’ll cost between $20 and $40, depending on how long you want to stay out and what type of kayak you rent. I recommend taking a lesson or class to learn how to paddle efficiently, and to also get tips on how to get in and out of your kayak while in the water. Go when it’s not windy, so the water will be less choppy. Wear waterproof sunscreen and a hat to protect your skin. If you love kayaking, consider buying one. Ones made out of plastic will be less expensive than fiberglass kayaks, but they’ll also be heavier and harder to repair if it gets damaged by rocks. If you want one that’s even lighter, they make kayaks out of kevlar, graphite, or carbon fiber. One of these kayaks will cost between $400 and $2,000, and that’s not including the paddle. If that’s too steep, many gear shops will sell used kayaks for much cheaper.

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Go Kayaking to Strengthen Core and Upper Body