MOSHING

Have you ever moshed? If so, what did you feel during or after? Do you mosh knowing that you are relieving stress? Do you mosh let anger and rage out? Or do you mosh because the band is just so freaking great that it makes you want to punch someone?

Regardless, moshing is more than just flying fists and striking bodies according to a study done by Tyler Edwards of The University of Mississippi. What Edwards deliberated on was how moshing can be a form of stress relief, way to improve a sense of belonging and a change in self-esteem. Although maybe not a successful study, results only showed a slight increase in stress relief, I believe this is a step into looking at moshing a little more closely. Below is also a video that discusses reasons why people mosh and development of moshing to different types of music.

There is a thoughtful article on BBC News website about looking into the psychology and etiquette of moshing. The author writes about the courage in language used in rock gigs to express annoyance or frustration. I really like this quote here: “We should be publicly discontented more, in small ways, every day.” They are saying the language and attitude we use in rock gigs ought to be practiced in outside life, and I think that’s healthy.

All images acquired from Getty Images.