Woman screaming

Exploring the Potential Health Benefits of Screaming

What are your initial reactions to hearing a scream? Do you panic, become startled, or rush to see what’s going on? Do you wonder if something bad could be happening? Or do you wonder if something good could be happening? Screaming is a vocal release that could imply positive or negative emotions. People usually raise their voices because something scared or excited them. Interestingly, you may want to do this more often because screaming could be good for your health, according to WebMD.

When we yell at the top of our lungs, our bodies and emotional health are instantly affected. As it turns out, letting out a scream may actually help to improve your mood. That’s because some people feel screaming is cathartic when they’re dealing with stressful issues (per Yoga Journal). And it’s not just a sense of relief some may feel. It may even make you feel more confident. For example, Entrepreneur reports that by saying affirmations or incantations out loud and loudly, you’re engaging your nervous system and harnessing all your focus into the emotions you’re trying to cultivate.

Screaming may help release pent-up emotions

Man screaming

In the past, some therapists have utilized a form of therapy called primal scream therapy (via Healthline). This form of psychotherapy has been around since the 1960s and involves the patient yelling out their frustrations while sitting on the couch instead of talking it out, reports Vice.

Dr. Arthur Janov, a U.S. psychotherapist, developed primal scream therapy after he wrote the book, “The Primal Scream” (per The New York Times). He started primal scream therapy as a way for the patient to release repressed emotions. By means of this treatment, Janov was showing that all of these painful emotions often stem from childhood trauma. 

See Also:  New Study Reveals Even Mild Cases of COVID-19 Can Impact the Brain

Evona L. Smith, a family nurse practitioner and doctor of nursing in Louisiana, told Healthline, “The basic premise behind scream therapy is the release of endorphins, a chemical released by the body which reduces stress.” However, even though the body’s endorphins may cause the body to feel good in the moment, it can also be a strenuous way of accomplishing those good feelings. 

Lesa O'Leary
Lesa O'Leary

Lesa is a dynamic member of OzHelp’s Service Delivery Team as the Service Delivery Team Leader and Nurse. She has been with OzHelp for five years and believes in leading by example. Lesa has experience in the not-for-profit sector, as well as many roles throughout different industries and sectors, including as a contractor to the Department of Defence. She has expertise in delivering OzHelp’s health and wellbeing programs and engaging with clients in a relaxed and comfortable manner that aligns with the organisation’s vision and objectives.

Lesa has a Certificate 4 in Nursing from Wodonga Tafe, Certificate 4 in Mental Health from Open Colleges, and is currently undertaking a Certificate 4 in Training and Assessment from Tafe NSW. For the past few months Lesa has been an Education and Memberships committee member of the ACT Branch of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).