Go Ahead and Scream
I am a roller coaster /theme park enthusiast and believe that regular rides on coasters are part of an ongoing program of physical and mental health. I moved to Orlando 22 years ago for the weather and to be near the parks, and an ongoing diet of screams is part of my health regimen.
I call this “Roller Coaster Therapy.” (Similar to Water Slide Therapy, but less wet.). This is a socially acceptable way to scream your head off. There are not many venues where it’s acceptable to scream and really “let it all out.” Scary movies and football games also fit into these healthy categories for socially acceptable screaming events.
There are a lot of reasons to want to scream these days: global pandemic, unscrupulous politicians targeting the vulnerable for personal gain, uniform shipment delays caused by global shipping issues, spiders….
We all need to react to these stressors in a healthy way. Lifting weights has always served me well in this way, allowing me to work the stress out by lifting heavy weights rather than blowing up at difficult parents or students. Salsa dancing, running, sex, athletic baking…these and other activities that build up a good sweat can be very therapeutic as stress busters. But I encourage coaster therapy.
I’ve included a number of pictures here of me on coasters. Although I always seem to look like I’m in great pain, I’m simultaneously having the time of my life. I know that I’m safe and taken care of when strapped into a coaster at a reputable theme park. (As opposed to jumping from an airplane, supposedly safe but I’m hard to convince here.) Buckle into a coaster car, pull down that lap bar, and get ready to scream all you want. No one can say a thing. Really get it all out! It’s fun and healthy!
Dolly Parton famously said “My favorite emotion is laughter through tears.” Although that can be lovely, I recommend “Simultaneous screaming and laughing” as my personal favorite!
NOTE: The new hybrid coaster “Iron Gwazi” at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is just stellar! One of my top three all time. It opens today (March 11, 2022) and I encourage you to find a way to scream in Tampa ASAP!
Tim Hinton
March 11, 2022
