Is Crying Really Good for You?

Crying as a bodily response is something we are all familiar with. At some point in our lives, we’ve all shed tears here and there, cried over either an exam or a break-up or might have lost a grandparent, whether due to distress in our surroundings or personal hardships.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines crying as “producing tears as a result of strong emotions, such as unhappiness or pain.” While we associate crying with sadness, it’s worth reflecting on whether crying is, intrinsically, a positive or negative experience, what is it that we feel when we don’t even intend to cry but anyway end up doing so? Does it bring us benefits, like helping us regulate our mental health, or is it merely an elaborate way to express sadness?

Read More: The Psychology Behind Crying: Understanding the Emotional Tears

The Emotional Spectrum of Crying

Humans experience a vast range of emotions, a plethora of emotions, which at times might even seem unfathomable. Studies Identified at least 27 distinct emotions that we can feel. Among these, sadness is considered a basic emotion, but is it the only one that triggers tears? If we consider the physical act of crying as shedding tears then many situations provoke this particular response by following the same mechanism. Our eyes water when irritation occurs, when tiredness sets in, or even when we yawn. However, emotions like sadness are just one part of the story when it comes to crying. Tears can also flow from joy, whether from laughing too hard or feeling pride in someone or something special to us.

Crying: More than Sadness

Crying not only involves the physical act of producing tears but also the emotional stimulation behind it. If we zoom in a little on this emotional sign and dig deeper into this emotion, we realize that crying is more than just a sign of sadness; it’s a universal expression of pain, sorrow, and emotional release. It takes various forms, and people use terms like meltdown or breakdown interchangeably.

Psychologically, crying makes it easier for a living being to express. Distress, frustration, and even anger can lead to tears, showing how crying reflects a complex emotional landscape. It is an abstract form of painting. This way, crying helps us regulate difficult thoughts and emotions, offering a form of release that words often fail to provide.

Read More: Do you hide your Sadness with Smiley Emoji?

Why crying is not that bad?

1. Catharsis

From a mental health perspective, crying is often viewed as a form of catharsis. A way to release pent-up emotions. This release can have tangible benefits, like reducing stress and creating a sense of relief. It helps us when words do not seem to find their way out and everything sounds gibberish in our head. Far from being just an expression of sadness, crying allows us to process and cope with a range of difficult emotions, ultimately contributing to our emotional well-being. You might notice that after a good crying session, the world often feels a little lighter, and the burdens we carry seem a little less overwhelming if not a lot.

2. Better Emotional Regulation

Crying has a unique way of clearing our heads. The grey clouds that form in our head due to so many repressed emotions feel like they need a burst and that rain of thoughts when they come out in the form of tears, the emotional weight on our chest lightens, and our thoughts become less cloudy. Problems that once seemed insurmountable can start to feel more manageable. 

It’s like when we clear our glasses after feeling like everything seems blurry so it is possible that our glasses need a little cleaning and shining of the lens and then our vision suddenly turns ultra HD. Just like that crying helps us untangle the knots in our minds, making it easier to see things clearly and without that heavy emotional fog. It’s as if we are given the space to breathe again.

3. Influence of Social Support

Crying is often considered a vulnerable act, especially when we cry in the presence of others. When we turn to a friend, partner, or family member in times of distress, we allow ourselves to be vulnerable. In those moments, we might feel like a burden but we need to understand that we’re not just expressing our sadness or frustration, we’re seeking comfort, empathy, and understanding.

Crying with someone by our side can deepen our connection with them, making us feel seen, heard, safe and sound. This emotional support often releases “feel-good” hormones like oxytocin, which helps explain why crying with someone close can feel so healing and one might even feel more positive towards life as it might generate a feeling of gratefulness. It might also help in regulating a good self-image. This type of comfort is not limited to humans but is relatable when it comes to crying in front of our pets. They comfort us whenever they sense sadness in us.

Read More: Recognizing and Overcoming the Overthinking Trap

The Science Behind Crying

1. Hormonal Balance

Crying, especially from distress, also plays a key role in restoring hormonal balance. When we cry, our bodies respond by releasing endorphins, the brain’s natural painkillers. It’s like a dam being released, allowing the emotional floodwaters to flow freely. Afterward, our brains feel more capable of processing emotions efficiently, without the overwhelming pressure of holding everything in. This release gives our minds space to heal and recover. The triggering response just goes away. By releasing hormones that can reduce pain and elevate mood, crying can assist with a variety of mental health conditions, such as stress, anxiety, and depression:

2. Relief from Stress

Crying helps release built-up emotional tension, allowing the body to transition from a heightened “fight or flight” state into a calmer, more relaxed state. This shift can lower heart rate and blood pressure, promoting physical relaxation alongside emotional release. Additionally, the stress hormone cortisol, which is responsible for feelings of tension and overwhelm, is lowered when we cry, which can significantly reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.

3. Relief from pain

When we cry, our brain tends to release a chemical which is known as endorphins, which act as natural painkillers, and oxytocin, which promotes feelings of comfort and security. These chemicals help soothe both bodily discomfort and emotional wounds, providing a sense of relief to the mind as well as to the body. This natural response can help people feel more grounded after feeling intense emotions or physical pain, helps in survival, offering a restorative balance and finding an equilibrium state of mind and body.

4. Building Resilience

Our brain functions when it feels a balance and strength to tackle our problems and find a way to deal with daily tasks. Now and then there’s a possibility that we might encounter some kind of disappointment in our work life or our personal lives but that might hinder our work and the functioning of the body, that’s why we need to build resilience and crying might just help in increasing the resilience.

5. Support through Grief

Tears play a key role in the grieving process, as they allow for the expression of deep sadness that often accompanies loss. During the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance) crying can provide a sense of emotional release that helps to process these stages. By allowing ourselves to cry, we may find it easier to move toward acceptance, as the act of crying helps make space for healing and emotional resolution.

6. Cerebral Blood Flow

Another physiological response resulting in regulating mental balance as the studies suggest laughter is known to improve blood flow to the brain aid cognitive function and boost mood, crying may offer a similar benefit. Both laughter and tears activate certain parts of the brain responsible for emotional regulation and stress management. Increased blood flow during emotional release can help restore balance to brain function, fostering clearer thinking and emotional stability.

Read Mor: Let’s Talk about Laughter Therapy

The Role of Social and Personality Factors

• Encouragement: Tearing up in front of encouraging friends or family can increase emotions of comfort and relief. People who experience social support while they weep are more likely to report improved moods.
• Resolution of Triggering Events: People are more likely to have happier mood swings following the resolution of the situations that cause them to weep. On the other hand, unsolved problems could cause discomfort as opposed to relief.
• Personality Characteristics: People who have a high degree of alexithymia—a condition in which they find it difficult to recognize and express their feelings—may have fewer episodes of crying and see less improvement in their mood after sobbing. They may even feel worse after weeping because they lack understanding of their emotional experiences.

Conclusion

More than just a basic emotional reaction to grief, crying is a complicated emotional and physiological process that is essential to mental health. Crying helps us discover emotional balance and control, whether it’s through stress relief, easing physical or mental discomfort, or offering consolation at a difficult time. Crying helps foster resilience and clarity during periods of intense emotions by releasing hormones and providing an emotional catharsis. Deeper relationships with people are also fostered, which makes us feel understood and supported. Crying is a normal, human emotion that promotes emotional healing, recovery, and overall well-being; it is by no means an indication of weakness.