The realization hit me somewhere around mile three of my usual run with my running partner. As the miles ticked by and our conversation flowed, I noticed that nearly every story I told was punctuated with curse words. My running partner, in contrast, kept her language clean. Her stories were just as animated, her frustrations just as real, but her words far less—well, dirty. It made me wonder: When did I develop this potty mouth? More importantly, was my barrage of bad language offensive to her?
The answer seemed obvious—and perhaps a little too convenient: COVID. There’s a lot to blame on COVID: anxiety, social isolation, and the disruption of daily rhythms and routines. While many of these effects have faded, one unanticipated effect remains: my significantly saltier vocabulary. Words I once reserved for stubbed toes or truly aggravating moments with my kids or husband have become daily, frequent companions.
Maybe it’s an occupational hazard as a clinical psychologist, but this dawning awareness motivated me to look at what the science says about pandemic-induced swearing. A quick scan of the literature revealed surprisingly little direct research on whether profanity has increased since COVID. One small study, which analyzed a database of global conference call transcripts, found an 80% increase in the use of swear words between 2018 and 2021. At least I’m not alone.
While the science on COVID-specific increases in swearing is limited, there’s actually quite a bit of research on why swearing happens—and why it’s not all bad, but not all good either. Research shows that swearing can be cathartic, helping to regulate emotions and reduce stress, anxiety, and physical pain, and even increase physical strength. Studies have found that people who use profanity often report lower levels of depression and stress, suggesting that swearing acts as an emotional release valve. Some studies even suggest that swearing can improve attention and short-term memory, likely due to the emotional arousal it triggers. Profanity may also have social benefits, though the findings are mixed. In certain contexts, swearing can signal authenticity, foster camaraderie, and help people feel more connected. In the isolating days of COVID, when social norms were upended and frustrations ran high, swearing may have offered a small but real sense of relief and connection.
But before I excuse my behavior away with science, there’s a catch. Other research highlights the negative effects of profanity, and let’s be honest: any COVID-based excuses are wearing thin. Overusing profanity can blunt its emotional power and lead to negative consequences—including offending listeners. My running partner never said she was offended, but I realized my language might have made her uncomfortable—or at the very least, distracted from the joy of our shared run. The problem is, the more frequently we swear, the more it becomes habitual. We become desensitized to the impact of our words, and what was once a powerful release becomes background noise.
Luckily, science also has some useful tips for changing this behavior. Here are a few strategies that can help:
Pause and Reflect: Take a moment before speaking, especially when you feel frustrated. Ask yourself if the swear word is really necessary.
Find Substitutes: Replace curse words with neutral alternatives or humor. Even a silly word can break the cycle.
Be Mindful: Tune into your emotional triggers and reactions. Mindfulness can help you catch yourself before the words fly out.
Be Intentional: Being deliberate and intentional about use of swear words can make the words more impactful. There’s real power in those words if you use them sparingly, rather than letting them become background noise.
Set Boundaries: Decide where and when swearing is acceptable. I’ve found that setting boundaries on myself for where and when I will use swear words is very powerful, because if I allow the faucet to open, it’s hard to shut it down.
Celebrate Progress: Notice when you catch yourself and make a change—no matter how small. Positive reinforcement works.
To be honest, this is very much a work in progress for me. But I am trying to make intentional and mindful changes, because the words we use matter.
Swearing may have helped many of us cope with the chaos of COVID, but as life settles into a new normal, it’s worth considering when—and how—we use our most colorful language. Sometimes, it takes a good run and a good friend to realize it’s time for a change. And if there’s a slip-up along the way? Well… F–it. We’re all works in progress.