Is Crying Good For You?
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From the catharsis of processing and releasing emotions to strengthening relationships and improving physical health, crying can be much more powerful than you might give it credit for. Understanding the emotional and physical health benefits of crying and exploring strategies for overcoming the societal stigma attached to the practice can promote a more empowering and healing experience the next time you feel the need to cry.
Below, we explore why we cry, the possible emotional benefits of crying, how to cry healthily and the benefits of online therapy in your journey of emotional exploration.
Why do we cry?
Crying starts for most humans at birth, with many babies crying continuous tears for the first several weeks of life. It’s their main way of communicating emotions since they don’t have the skills to express what they’re feeling in ways adults can. It’s also an attachment behavior, which functions as a way to get comfort and care from those around them. Crying also helps babies sleep – one study even showing that allowing a baby to cry can help with infant sleep problems. But as we get older, we begin to cry for different reasons.
Emotional tears and their benefits for mental health
Humans may be the only species capable of crying emotional tears. Unlike reflex tears, which are prompted by physical stimuli and happen to many animals, humans cry when they experience a powerful emotion. It could be part of a grieving process, a reaction to something that brings about feelings of joy, or just a way to process any other intense emotion. One theory is that the signals come from the part of your brain that triggers emotions in order to calm your body down and control what you’re feeling. The tears work to self soothe someone who is experiencing intense feelings of sadness, happiness, or other strong emotions.
How emotional tears support mental health
Research suggests that women cry more frequently than men. In general people cry emotional tears when experiencing emotional pain. When people find themselves having a deep belly cry, their parasympathetic nervous system is activated. The parasympathetic nervous system helps the body release stress by controlling blood pressure, heart rate and breathing. If you are experiencing concerning physical symptoms it is advisable to seek medical advice.
Crying good tears of release may support your mental health and well-being. If you
Is crying good for you? The emotional benefits of crying
Oftentimes, people associate crying with being sad, but shedding tears is a natural response to process and release many emotions. When we cry, our bodies can release stress hormones, which may help to reduce the emotional pain and intensity we are experiencing and provide a sense of release, bringing us back to emotional equilibrium. This can be especially beneficial for individuals who have experienced a traumatic event or have unresolved emotional concerns. Crying might also help to alleviate feelings of guilt, shame and other negative emotions, which may lead to a sense of emotional catharsis and a greater degree of personal healing.
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In addition to having the ability to ease pain and help us process and release our emotions, crying might also play a positive role in our relationships. Allowing ourselves to cry in front of others can foster deeper emotional intimacy and vulnerability. It can encourage us to have a stronger and more authentic connection with our partners, also serving as an expression of empathy — which can allow us to connect with others on a deeper level and feel more understood. Crying is not generally a sign of weakness, and it doesn't mean that a person cannot handle their emotions. Instead, it may indicate that the person cares enough to feel and express emotion.
The physical benefits of crying
There can be more benefits to crying than just an emotional response. It may also physically affect the health of our bodies.
Is crying good for you?
When we cry, our body has the ability to release stress hormones such as which may have a soothing effect on our nervous system. Additionally, the physical act of crying activates the release of endorphins, which can act as natural painkillers for our bodies. The self soothing behavior and release of feel good chemicals can be one reason why crying could help you to experience physical and emotional relief.
In addition to the immediate physical sensations that crying may do for us, It may also positively impact our overall physical health. Studies have shown that crying might help reduce inflammation in the body, which can have a defensive effect against various diseases such as asthma, arthritis and other chronic conditions. Crying might also help to lower blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing the level of stress hormones in the body.
How to cry in a healthy way
Creating a safe and comfortable environment to have a good cry can be an ideal step towards allowing ourselves to process and release our emotions fully. This might include finding a quiet space, lighting candles, diffusing essential oils or playing calming music to create a safe and welcoming space. You might also choose to practice self-compassion and self-care when crying as you continue to acknowledge and validate your feelings. You can also indulge in self-care after you’re done crying.
The importance of support and acceptance when crying
People can react to crying differently. It can be helpful to have a support system in place that you can trust, whether it’s a close friend, family member, or therapist. Your network can offer a non-judgmental ear and a comforting presence, supporting you in your expression of emotion away from possible stigma or negative attitudes.
You might also try to remind yourself that crying is a natural and healthy aspect of our emotional experience, and that the opinions of others do not define our worth or value as a person.
When to seek help
Although crying has many health benefits, constant crying may be a sign of deeper mental health conditions. If you are experiencing signs of depression, such as feelings of hopelessness, changes in appetite, lack of energy, or unexplained aches, a therapist may be beneficial in supporting you and finding treatment options to help you heal. If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, seek help immediately.
Finding support for emotional health and well-being
If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached at 988 and is available 24/7.
Even if you aren’t experiencing intense symptoms, a therapist can still help you better understand your emotions and find ways to cry healthily. Therapists usually stay up to date on health news and may have useful information to share.
Benefits of online therapy for those undergoing emotional exploration
One of the many benefits that online therapy can have is its ability to help individuals process and make sense of their emotions in a discrete and non-judgmental way — including sadness and the urge to cry.
Is online therapy an effective form of emotional support?
Current clinical studies suggest that online therapy can be an effective supportive strategy for those experiencing various mental health struggles — including anxiety disorders or depression.
A study published in Frontiers of Psychology found that online therapy may have been particularly helpful in reducing stress, anxiety disorder and depression symptoms among participants. It also showed that online therapy could be beneficial in terms of helping individuals to build emotional resilience and cultivate a more positive attitude towards emotions such as sadness or crying.
Takeaway
What are the benefits of crying?
Crying is a natural response to a wide range of emotions, and science indicates there are several potential benefits to shedding tears.
Examples of the benefits of crying include:
- Crying can help release stress and emotional pain that, when repressed, can negatively affect our physical and mental health. Repressing negative emotions can diminish functioning in the immune and cardiovascular systems, and unaddressed emotions can also lead to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
- Shedding tears can act as a self-soothing mechanism and overall aid in recovering biological homeostasis during times of stress and grief.
- Crying can increase attachment behaviors, encourage empathy and support, and build emotional intimacy in relationships.
- Studies show that emotional tears help release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) buildup. ACTH is a type of hormone that tells the body to release cortisol, the hormone responsible for triggering the fight or flight reaction in times of stress.
- Crying is a coping mechanism for managing emotional distress. When individuals suppress the urge to cry, they may turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drug and alcohol consumption, risky sexual behaviors, and other maladaptive coping strategies.
Crying has advantages other than relieving emotional pain. For example, pain crying releases the stress hormone cortisol, signaling to the body that you’re injured and need assistance. There are also times when we cry “reflex tears,” or beneficial tears released to cleanse irritants like smoke and dust from the eyes. Although more research is needed, some experts posit that emotional crying can boost physical health. In an older study published in The Ocular Surface, researchers found that tears used to lubricate and safeguard the eye contained 98% water, while emotional tears contained stress hormones and other toxins that are flushed from the body through emotional crying.
What are the disadvantages of crying?
While there are more advantages than disadvantages, there are times when crying can cause issues. When crying is uncontrollable or happens at inappropriate times, it may have adverse effects on relationships. Excessive crying might suggest an inability to control emotions, creating the impression that the person may be unreliable under challenging situations where some emotional control is needed. Additionally, crying might create tension in the muscles of the face, neck, jaw, and head. Over a prolonged period of crying, this tension can lead to headaches and muscle soreness.
How long does a normal cry last?
It’s difficult to say how long a “normal” cry lasts (or should last). Everyone responds differently to circumstances that lead to crying, has a different biochemical makeup, and has different past experiences that might influence how long they cry. Research on how long the average person cries is limited. An older study approximated eight minutes as a standard time for your average crying session. The American Psychological Association (APA) reports that depending on factors such as cultural norms, individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) cry emotional tears 30 to 64 times per year on average, and those assigned male (AMAB) cry between five and 17 times.
Why do I feel better after crying?
There are several reasons you may feel better after crying. For example:
- Crying allows you to release and express your emotions, which can provide a sense of relief and catharsis. It can help you process complicated feelings and let go of emotional tension.
- Crying can trigger the release of endorphins, which are hormones thatact as natural painkillers and mood boosters. This can help alleviate feelings of sadness and improve overall mood.
- Crying can trigger activity in the parasympathetic nervous system (the system responsible for recovery after an emotionally stressful event), creating a sense of relief and clarity.
- Crying can increase your connection with others, resulting in greater comfort and support. Sharing your emotions with someone else can help you feel understood and less isolated.
- Crying can be a way to process and make sense of difficult or overwhelming emotions. It can help you gain perspective on your feelings and experiences.
- Crying can help reduce stress and promote relaxation by releasing built-up tension and emotional energy. This can lead to a sense of calm and emotional balance.
Why is crying exhausting?
The same hormonal reaction that makes you feel better after crying can also create sleepiness as your sympathetic nervous system “powers down,” and the parasympathetic nervous system takes over, increasing the release of oxytocin, which naturally promotes sleep. Additionally, emotional crying increases heart rate and rapid breathing in many cases, which can affect the oxygen intake to the brain. When the brain gets less oxygen than usual, it can lead to an overall feeling of drowsiness.
Why does silent crying hurt?
Silent crying can hurt because it often involves suppressing your emotions and prohibiting yourself from fully expressing your feelings. This can create a buildup of emotional tension and stress, potentially manifesting as physical pain or discomfort. Silent crying can also be a sign of unaddressed or processed deep emotional pain or inner turmoil, which can contribute to physical pain. The physical effort it takes to hold back from crying can also cause physical pain and tension in the form of tension headaches, chest pain, and stomachaches.
Does crying make you emotionally weak?
Crying is a natural emotional expression, like laughing or shouting when we’ve been startled. Still, societal and cultural attitudes are sometimes harmful and create a stigma around crying, particularly for men. However, there is no evidence to suggest that crying does make a person emotionally weak. Crying can build emotional strength by cultivating greater self-awareness and connection with our emotions.
Why do I feel lighter after crying?
The emotional release caused by crying can make you feel mentally and physically lighter. Feel-good chemicals in the brain, like endorphins and oxytocin, can ease physical and emotional pain. Crying can restore emotional equilibrium (which is why researchers say we cry when we’re scared and happy, too) and facilitate the processing of painful emotions, making us feel lighter after crying.
Does crying make you emotionless?
No, crying does not make you emotionless. However, emotional numbness and an inability to cry in response to emotional distress can be a sign of a mental health condition like anxiety, depression, or trauma. If you don’t cry when you think you should or if you’d like to cry but cannot shed tears, reach out to a mental health professional for guidance. There are plenty of potential medical reasons why some individuals can’t cry, as well. See your doctor if you think a physiological condition is responsible.
What should you do after crying?
A robust, healthy cry can be cathartic, but it can also feel draining. After crying, it’s important to take care of yourself and take time to process and heal from painful emotions.
Here are some suggestions for continuing to heal after a good cry:
- Take deep breaths and drink a big glass of water to rehydrate
- Splash cool water on your face to refresh
- Care for yourself by taking a warm bath, meditating, or listening to soothing music
- Write in a journal or express your feelings through creative outlets like music or art
- Engage in physical activity like going for a walk or doing some yoga to help release tension and boost your mood
- Give yourself permission to feel your emotions without judgment and allow yourself to grieve and process your feelings
- Seek professional help if you’re struggling to cope with your emotions or are feeling overwhelmed
Is it normal to have a good cry?
Yes, it’s normal to have a good cry. Crying can help you express and release strong emotions, whether you're feeling sad, happy, or overwhelmed. It's a natural way to feel better and cope with feelings, and many people find it helpful for their mental health.
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