Screaming For Stress Relief: What Experts Say

(KHLA - Lake Charles, Louisiana) - It's Halloween season, so there's a lot of spooky stuff happening, and if someone surprised or scared you enough that you screamed today? It might actually be a healthy boost.

Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash

Why People Believe Screaming Helps Relieve Stress?

In a survey, more than half of Americans say they believe screaming positively affects their health and more than half of Millennials say the louder they scream the better they feel afterward. Older adults don't necessarily agree with that, with most saying they don't like screaming loudly.

Get our free mobile app

Despite the relief, only 10% of people say they scream at least once a week. Women are more likely to say they scream out of fear while men are more likely to scream out of pain.

Photo by Ryan Snaadt on Unsplash

What Science Says About Scream Therapy

There is some science behind screaming being healthy with psychiatrists saying that screaming can release positive chemicals in your brain, and it can have cathartic effects that reduce stress. But other experts say there's little evidence that screaming provides long-term mental health benefits.