Katie Couric's Notebook: Cursing
There's a saying in the Marine Corps: pain is weakness leaving the body.
Perhaps it takes a strong man or woman to endure physical pain in silence. But a new study says there may be a better way: swearing.
Researchers at Keele University in England asked more than sixty people to submerge their hands in icy water and repeat a favorite curse word. They then stuck the other hand in the water and repeated something more family friendly. When they cussed a blue streak every one of them could endure the cold for longer.
It may have something to do with the fight or flight mechanism in our brains - a rush triggered by the use of those swear words.
So the next time you stub your toe, or burn your finger on a hot pan, provided there are no kids around, maybe it's okay to use those four-letter words.
If you get horrified looks from your friends, tell them a little weakness just left your body.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
Perhaps it takes a strong man or woman to endure physical pain in silence. But a new study says there may be a better way: swearing.
Researchers at Keele University in England asked more than sixty people to submerge their hands in icy water and repeat a favorite curse word. They then stuck the other hand in the water and repeated something more family friendly. When they cussed a blue streak every one of them could endure the cold for longer.
It may have something to do with the fight or flight mechanism in our brains - a rush triggered by the use of those swear words.
So the next time you stub your toe, or burn your finger on a hot pan, provided there are no kids around, maybe it's okay to use those four-letter words.
If you get horrified looks from your friends, tell them a little weakness just left your body.
That's a page from my notebook.
I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.
