Don’t Hold Back, Have a Good Cry

We’ve heard that big boys don’t cry. We’ve been told not to be a cry baby. Some people feel weak when they cry. Others are embarrassed to be found vulnerable.

No one makes it through life without hardship. Whether it is from the loss of a close friend or family member, trauma or stress, there are times when we break down and cry. Crying can release pent up emotions and make us feel better. A University of Florida study found that crying can serve to combat depression. A good cry improved the mood of 88.8% people and only 8.4% reported feeling worse.

Did you know that there might be healing power in tears? There are three types of tears: reflex, continuous and emotional. They each have different healing roles according to Judith Orloff, MD in her article entitled “The Health Benefits of Tears.” Orloff says reflex tears allow your eyes to clear out noxious particles when they’re irritated by smoke or exhaust. The second kind, continuous tears, are produced regularly to keep our eyes lubricated–these contain a chemical called lysozyme which functions as an anti-bacterial. It protects our eyes from infection. Tears also travel to the nose through the tear duct to keep the nose moist and bacterial free. Emotional tears, the third kind, contain stress hormones and toxins that leave the body when crying. Crying can also stimulate endorphins, the ‘feel good’ chemical.

There are social benefits to crying. When we see others’ tears, most of us feel moved to help them. We are more likely to be sympathetic and comfort them. We also feel more bonded when we share a cry. When we allow ourselves to cry in front of others, we let our guard down and connect in a more vulnerable way. On the other hand, criers feel worse if their tears are witnessed by unsupportive people.

Sometimes it seems that the tears never end. 20% of bouts of crying last longer than 30 minutes and 8% cry longer than an hour. If you believe that you cry too frequently, this may be a sign of a problem. Tears can be a signal that something needs to change. Use them to guide you toward a solution.

Humans are the only animals with the ability to shed tears in response to emotional stress. Crying makes us human. So go ahead, and have a good cry. You’re only human.