Tuesday10 December 2024
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Stop holding back your emotions: Discover why crying is actually beneficial for your health.

Crying is often viewed as a sign of weakness, but in reality, it serves as a powerful tool for emotional release and the restoration of both mental and even physical health. Here, we explore the scientific reasons why everyone should embrace the act of crying.
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Crying is completely normal. Moreover, it's very beneficial.

If someone has ever advised you to have a good cry during particularly sad and difficult times, you should pay attention to that person often—they clearly understand a bit about how this world works.

Why We Cry

Crying is a natural response of the body to external stimuli. There are three types of tears:

  1. reflexive — these are released by the tear glands to clear the eyes of dirt;
  2. constant — this is the usual tear film that moistens the eyeballs;
  3. emotional — triggered by either extremely joyful events or, conversely, very sad ones.

The last type of crying does not serve the same protective function as the first two, but it is still associated with a number of health benefits.

The Benefits of Crying

Often, after a crying episode, we experience a sense of physical relief. This can be explained by the processes that tears initiate in the body.

Reduces Stress Levels

The best calming remedy is crying. Tears activate the release of endorphins, the happiness hormones associated with feelings of euphoria, stress resilience, and even protection of the cardiovascular system. Additionally, during crying, our body fills with another hormone, oxytocin, which helps us transform sadness into joy.

Слеза Unsplash

Alleviates Pain

Not only emotional pain but also physical pain. This is again due to the endorphins produced in the body during crying. These hormones are neuropeptides that act as natural opioids. They bind to opioid receptors in the brain and nervous system, blocking the transmission of pain signals, which leads to a reduced perception of pain and a feeling of euphoria.

Improves Sleep Quality

Cry your heart out, and you'll sleep like a baby! Crying promotes emotional release, which in turn helps reduce anxiety and eliminate stress, often causes of insomnia.

Prevents Eye Infections

In addition to a large amount of water, tears contain lysozyme, an enzyme with antimicrobial properties. It neutralizes harmful microorganisms accumulated on the surface of the eyes, and the tears help flush out these impurities, keeping the eyes clean and healthy.

Enhances Vision

Basal tears naturally lubricate the eyeballs, preventing the mucous membranes from drying out and ensuring moisture for the cornea. Dry eyes can lead to severe pain, irritation, and impaired vision.

Слеза Unsplash

Restores Emotional Balance

Crying helps relieve tension and stress, as well as regulates emotional state, keeping it at a normal level. This process was vividly demonstrated in a study conducted in 2007 with 60 female students. Initially, each participant was shown a comedy, followed by a drama. During the viewing, their heart rate and breathing were measured. The results showed that before watching the drama, the girls' pulse increased, but it quickly decreased as soon as they began to cry. Crying also led to a slowing of their breathing.

So, there’s nothing wrong with crying. The key is not to overdo it and to stop in time, as in some cases it can lead to severe headaches.