Stress expert Lauren Miller says in a 2013 story in The Globe and Mail that whistling is considered deviant behaviour. But it’s a natural behaviour, she adds, and tells us that when she whistles, she doesn’t worry.
Miller echoes my sentiment when I say that though whistling on Indian streets is considered impolite, it’s a stress-buster for me. I don’t do the more raucous fingers-in-the-mouth sitti (as we say in Hindi for “whistle”), but the melodious and soothing sing-song whistle that we so love to hear from happy, fluttering birds in the morning.
◊♦◊
Climbing up and down my stairs in college, I developed this habit of whistling at random—a slow and shy start but something I began to love. I gradually realized that those who knew me had started identifying me with my whistle. They could tell if I was on my way up or down the building I stay in.
It’s not as if I stop whistling when I am unhappy; in fact, the sweet melody of a whistle is embedded in every mood of mine. Unexpected joy pushes me to whistle lyrical, melliflous songs while grief brings out melancholic tunes that touch the heart. A big believer in romance, I love whistling romantic tunes most of the time.
Whistling isn’t just therapeutic but also a way of helping the brain consolidate its many differing thoughts. It’s not only fun and cool to see a man whistlle but also good exercise for the heart and soul. If you haven’t yet learnt to whistle, try it—you’ll love it.
Photo: Author