Sleep 09 - Action - Silent Scream

If I am having nightmares, or can't sleep with things praying on my mind making me anxious/ frustrated. I will lie there or take myself into another room or quiet spot away from anyone (usually bathroom) and do a 'silent scream' until exhausted. Not normally longer than 3-4 minutes.

What do I mean? I mean exactly as it sounds - scream , long hard and violently [if needed], until the air has left my lungs, but without using my vocal chords. A full bodied silent scream. Repeat several times.

I usually think of something inside my gut that I am trying to expel through the scream (IBS usually). Sometimes I think of something that's frustrating me, other times my mind is blank. It doesn't really matter it's the act of screaming that matters.

What's going on? Like the 4-7-8 breathing exercise you are changing the levels of oxygen vs CO2 in the blood which in turn provokes a large increase of oxygen once you have finished. It's this change in levels that creates a huge relaxation response after the exercise has finished.

There's something cathartic too about thinking of someone, something some pattern of thinking and screaming in it's/their face.

Give it a go when no-one's around and see what you think.

References

1) "Resting easy: Oxygen promotes deep, restorative sleep" -
Neuroscientists point to potential for oxygen therapy for disrupted sleep
Science Daily, University of Alberta - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/…

2) “The influence of carbon dioxide on brain activity and metabolism in conscious humans”, Feng Xu, Jinsoo Uh, Matthew R Brier, John Hart, Jr, Uma S Yezhuvath, Hong Gu, Yihong Yang, and Hanzhang Lu. National Library of Medicine - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/…