Pilates Thoughtful Tuesday: Swearing, Stress, and Longevity

Expressing emotions healthily, even with a swear word, can boost resilience and longevity

I’ll begin with something many of you already know about me. I absolutely love learning. I love observing, exploring new ideas, and seeing creativity in action. I often find myself scrolling through social media and yes, TikTok is one of my favourites. I’m constantly amazed by the talented dancers, singers, artists, and creators who share their work with the world. It gives me hope for the future and it reminds me just how much there is still to learn.

Recently, I came across a fascinating blog about longevity. We already know that a strong immune system and good gut health are crucial for living a longer, healthier life. But this piece also touched on something a little more unexpected: emotions, and more specifically, swearing.

The article explained that people who swear, and to be clear, we’re talking about swearing without causing offence, actually tend to live longer. Why? It’s all about emotional expression. Those who openly express their feelings, even with a colourful word or two, are less likely to bottle up stress. By contrast, those who suppress their emotions, what the writer called the "bottlers" or "brewers," are more prone to holding onto negativity. These are the people who might replay uncomfortable situations over and over again in their minds, often in the small hours between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.

This emotional bottling can take a real toll on the immune system over time, weakening the body's resilience and ultimately affecting longevity.

The study also highlighted the importance of having a supportive “home team” a close circle of people who help us maintain perspective, focus on what we can control, and keep a sense of humour through life’s ups and downs. Those who can "roll with it" rather than clutching tightly to every offence or disappointment are better equipped to navigate whatever challenges come their way.

So, what does this have to do with us as Pilates teachers?

In our work, we talk so much about releasing tension in the body but do we always consider the emotional side of that tension? Helping our clients to find healthy outlets for stress is just as important as helping them achieve physical strength and flexibility. Encouraging openness, creating a safe space where clients can relax and even laugh, might be just as vital to their health as perfecting their Footwork on the Reformer.

Pilates teaches us to connect mind and body. Perhaps it is also a reminder to encourage emotional flow, and if that occasionally includes a little non-offensive swearing in a private session when something feels particularly challenging, well, maybe that is not such a bad thing after all.

Here’s to movement, laughter, a little well-placed swearing, and a longer, healthier life.