Crying is often seen as a sign of weakness or vulnerability, but did you know that it has many benefits for your health? From reducing stress and promoting empathy to improving sleep and self-soothing, crying can be a powerful tool for emotional and physical healing.
In this article, we will explore 14 benefits of crying and why it’s good for your health. So, if you’ve ever felt ashamed or embarrassed about shedding a tear, read on to discover the many ways in which crying can be a positive and healthy experience.
Why Do We Cry?
Here’s something interesting: we cry for more than just emotions. Our body makes three kinds of tears:
- Reflex tears: When something gets in your eye, like dust or smoke, your body makes these tears. They’re mostly water and can help wash out stuff that might irritate your eyes.
- Basal tears: These tears are like your everyday tears. They have oil, water, and mucus to keep your eyes happy and protected.
- Emotional tears: These are the tears we think of when we’re feeling sad or happy. They’re a lot like reflex tears and are mostly made of water. And, you know, it just feels nice to shed them sometimes.
Is Crying Every Day Healthy?
Yes, crying every day can be considered healthy within certain contexts. Crying is a natural response to a variety of emotions, and it plays a significant role in maintaining emotional and physical well-being. Emotional tears, which contain stress hormones and other toxins, help flush these substances out of the body, providing potential health benefits.
Research shows that crying releases oxytocin and endogenous opioids, commonly referred to as endorphins, which help relieve physical and emotional pain. Additionally, crying activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and self-soothing.
However, excessive crying or crying without apparent cause may indicate underlying issues, such as depression or anxiety. If crying begins to interfere with daily activities or becomes uncontrollable, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider or mental health professional.
Discover the 14 amazing health benefits of crying on the following page!
14 Health Benefits Of Crying
Letting out a good cry has loads of benefits for your body and mind.
1. Keeps Your Eyes Clear
Crying can be beneficial for keeping your eyes clear. When you cry, your tears help to wash away any irritants or foreign particles that may be present in your eyes. This natural cleansing process can help to maintain the health and clarity of your eyes, preventing potential discomfort or issues.
2. Stress Relief
When we cry, our bodies release stress hormones like cortisol and endorphins. Endorphins are often called the body’s natural painkillers, and they can help to improve mood and reduce stress levels.
3. Bye-Bye Dry Eyes
Dry eye happens when your eyes don’t make enough tears. But your body fights this by making basal tears, which keep your eyes moist and happy.
4. Boosts Your Mood
Crying can be beneficial for boosting your mood. When you cry, your body releases endorphins, which are natural feel-good chemicals that can help to improve your mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Additionally, crying can help to release pent-up emotions and provide a sense of emotional release, which can help to alleviate feelings of sadness, grief, or frustration.
5. Cleans Out the Yucky Stuff
When you cry, your tears help to flush out toxins and other substances that may be present in your eyes or respiratory system. This natural cleansing process can help to reduce the risk of infection and promote overall health and well-being.
6. Bonds You with Others
When you cry in the presence of others, it can create a sense of vulnerability and emotional intimacy that can help to strengthen relationships and build trust. Sharing tears with someone can also create a sense of empathy and understanding, as it allows others to see and connect with your emotions on a deeper level.
7. Eases Pain
One of the benefits of crying is that it can ease pain. When we cry, our body releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers that can help to reduce physical and emotional pain. Additionally, crying can help to release tension and stress, which can also contribute to feelings of pain and discomfort.
8. Better Sleep
Crying can actually be a benefit to getting better sleep. When we cry, we release stress hormones and toxins from our body, which can help to reduce feelings of tension and anxiety. This can lead to a more relaxed state, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
9. Signal for Help
Sometimes, crying is a way of communicating that you need help. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling to cope, crying can be a way of reaching out for support.
10. Promotes Empathy
One of the benefits of crying is that it can promote empathy. When we see someone else crying, it can trigger a response in our brain that helps us to understand and relate to their emotions. This can lead to a greater sense of empathy and compassion towards others, as we are better able to understand and connect with their experiences.
11. Puts Things in Perspective
After crying, you might find that things don’t seem as bad as they did before. It can give you a clearer head and help you see things in a different light.
12. Detoxification
Emotional tears contain toxins and other chemicals that are released from the body when we cry. This can help to cleanse the body and promote overall health.
13. Self-Soothing
When we cry, our body releases endorphins, which are natural feel-good hormones that can help to reduce physical and emotional pain. This can lead to a sense of relief and comfort, providing a natural form of self-soothing.
14. Lubrication
Tears help to lubricate the eyes, keeping them moist and preventing dryness. Dry eyes can cause discomfort, irritation, and even vision problems, so maintaining proper eye lubrication through crying or other means could potentially help to improve vision.
In conclusion, crying is a natural and healthy way to express and process emotions. While it may not always be seen as a positive thing, many benefits to crying can contribute to our overall well-being.
From reducing stress and promoting empathy to improving sleep and self-soothing, crying can be a powerful tool for emotional and physical healing. By allowing ourselves to cry when needed, we can tap into the many benefits that this natural process has to offer and find greater emotional balance and resilience in our lives.
So, the next time you feel the urge to cry, don’t hold back – embrace this powerful and natural form of emotional expression, and reap the many benefits that it has to offer.
