Why Watching Sad Movies Can Help Relieve Pain

We've all done it, got to the 'There's a boat Jack!' bit and cursed ourselves, thinking: 'Why the heck are we doing this?'

Of course, we all remember the first time we watched Titanic – we couldn't get out of bed for weeks. It was the saddest moment of our lives... (since that sorrowful day we sat through Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, and before that, Disney's Bambi, like OVS).

And yet, we continue to do it – watch very, very sad films that is. Why...?

Scientists at Oxford University believe they have uncovered the answer. And it's this: watching sad films bring people closer together. That and they might have the power to boost our pain thresholds too, increasing our levels of endorphins. WOWSERS!

Participants in the Oxford study were split into two groups – one was asked to watch an emotional documentary, and the other, a less heavy film. After the viewings the participants were then asked to sit with their backs against a wall and legs bent (as if supported by a chair, but not). The results showed that those who watched the sad film were able to withstand the pain of half-sitting for longer than those who had watched the less intense film – by a factor of 13%.

Now this may seem like a pretty odd test, but the results directly coincide with previous studies that concluded laughing and dancing together, and working in teams, all contribute to heightening our pain tolerance.

So it's good news for sad-movie lovers!

Next time you find yourself dithering over Moulin Rouge on a Sunday night with your mates, stop being so indecisive and go for it – it may make that Monday morning commute a whole lot less painful...

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