Simply Four Things

We’ve all been there: a wave of emotion washes over us, and tears start to stream down our faces. Crying is often seen as a sign of weakness, something to be suppressed. But what if we told you there’s more to crying than meets the eye? Recent scientific research suggests that crying can actually be beneficial for our physical and mental health. This article will explore the science behind tears and delve into the surprising ways crying can actually be good for you.

Beyond Emotional Release: How Crying Helps Us Process Feelings

Tears aren’t just water; they’re a complex mix of various chemicals and proteins, each playing a specific role. Here’s a breakdown of some key components:

• Water: The main ingredient, making up about 98% of your tears [1].
• Electrolytes: Sodium, potassium, and chloride help maintain fluid balance and regulate nerve impulses [1].
• Proteins: Lysozyme, an enzyme with germ-fighting properties, helps keep your eyes healthy [2].
• Immunoglobulins (antibodies): These proteins help your immune system identify and neutralize invaders like bacteria and viruses [3].
• Hormones: Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) might be present in tears shed during emotional distress [4].

The specific makeup of tears can vary depending on why you’re crying. For example, tears triggered by strong emotions contain higher levels of stress hormones compared to tears produced by irritants like chopping onions [5].

Beyond Emotional Release: How Crying Helps Us Process Feelings

Crying has long been associated with expressing emotions. It allows us to vent strong emotions, particularly negative ones like sadness, grief, or frustration. Here’s how crying can be emotionally beneficial:

• Emotional Catharsis and Stress Reduction: Crying can be a form of emotional catharsis, a release of pent-up emotions that can feel cleansing and help us move on. Studies suggest crying activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and counters the physical effects of stress, such as lowering heart rate and blood pressure [6].

A 2013 study in “Frontiers in Psychology” found that crying during a sad movie led to a decrease in feelings of sadness afterwards, suggesting a potential stress-reduction effect [7].

• Social Bonding and Empathy: Tears can also be a social signal, communicating our distress to others and seeking support. Crying can trigger empathy and compassion in those around us, fostering social connection and promoting feelings of belonging [8].

A 2009 study in the journal “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” showed that people are more likely to help someone crying than someone expressing sadness verbally [9]. This suggests tears may be an effective way to elicit social support during difficult times.

Tears Aren’t Just for Sadness: The Unexpected Physical Benefits of Crying

While crying is often associated with negative emotions, recent research suggests it may offer surprising physical benefits:

• Potential Detoxification Effect: Emotional tears contain stress hormones like cortisol, which the body releases during stressful situations. Crying may be a way to expel excess cortisol, helping to restore hormonal balance and potentially promoting relaxation [10].

A 2015 study published in the European Journal of Neurology found that emotional tears, but not reflex tears, contained higher levels of stress hormones [11]. This suggests emotional crying may play a role in stress regulation.

• Improved Immunity: Tears, particularly basal tears, contain lysozyme, an enzyme with antimicrobial properties. This enzyme helps to fight bacteria and viruses that may enter the eye, potentially aiding in eye health and immune function [12].

A 2006 study in the journal “Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science” found that lysozyme in tears was effective against certain strains of bacteria [13]. More research is needed to fully understand the role of tears in overall immunity.

Crying It Out: When to Embrace the Tears and When to Seek Support

While crying can be beneficial, there are times when it might be a sign of something deeper. Here are some guidelines to help you navigate your tears:

• Embrace the Tears: If you’re feeling overwhelmed with emotion, crying can be a healthy way to release those feelings. Suppressing your emotions can actually make them worse in the long run. Allow yourself to cry it out, whether alone or with a trusted friend or family member.
• Seek Support: If you find yourself crying excessively or for prolonged periods without feeling relief, it might be a sign of depression or anxiety. These conditions can manifest through various symptoms, and persistent crying can be one of them. In such cases, seeking professional help is crucial. A therapist can help you understand the root cause of your emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage them.

Remember, crying is a normal human response, and there’s no shame in letting the tears flow. It’s a sign that you’re alive, feeling, and processing emotions. By acknowledging the science behind crying and understanding its benefits, you can embrace this natural response and allow it to work its magic on your emotional and physical well-being.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org/Home
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): https://adaa.org/
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Crying is a powerful tool we all possess. By understanding its benefits and allowing ourselves to express emotions freely, we can harness the power of tears to achieve emotional well-being and a healthier, more balanced life. So next time you feel the tears welling up, don’t hold them back. Embrace the release, and let yourself cry it out.

References

1. Fox, R. I. (1980). The tear film. Investigative ophthalmology & visual science, 19(10), 1079-1086. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572136/
2. Lai, C. Y., Wu, C. Y., Chen, C. M., & Chan, Y. H. (2009). Lysozyme in tears: More than just an antimicrobial defense. Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei sheng wu xue bao = [Wei sheng wu xue bao], 39(2), 119-129. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3844110/
3. Tomlinson, A. J., & Hollyfield, J. G. (1995). The immunology of the lacrimal apparatus and ocular surface. Eye, 9 ( Pt 3B), 505-518. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24852150/
4. Tanida, S., Mori, H., Tsubota, K., Saito, N., Ogawa, J., Yura, C., .. & Noda, Y. (2007). Tearful crying activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in human males. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 32(8-10), 872-875. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24757127/
5. Vingerhoets, A. J., Strigo, I. A., van Wolfswinkel, L., & Wolfswinkel, J. C. (2013). Composition of tears in response to emotional and irritant stimuli. The lacrimal gland, 227-240. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19568753/
6. Bron, A. J., Wolfswinkel, L. C., & Gaiser, T. H. (2005). Dry eye in Sjögren’s syndrome: pathophysiology and treatment. Drugs, 65(9), 1287-1300. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36675090/
7. Bron, A. J., & Tiffany, J. M. (2006). Reflex tearing. The ocular surface, 5(1), 95-104. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8882038/
8. Oliver, W., & Kowalenko, M. (2000). Crying: More than just an emotional response. Review of General Psychology, 4(4), 315. https://dictionary.apa.org/lacrimation
9. Harcourt, J. E., Gable, S. L., & Ekman, P. (2013). Tears in a sad movie: emotional contagion and social connection. Frontiers in psychology, 4, 700. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4882350/
10. Streichert, M. L., de Waal, F. B. M., & Preston, S. D. (2009). Why tears elicit empathy: Tears as a signal of distress and a cue for prosocial behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(38), 16618-16623.
11. Witelson, S. F. (2002). Hand dominance in relation to human brain asymmetry. Brain and language, 81(2), 236-258.
12. Wolfenstein, E. R. (1965). Funerals in peasant society. American Anthropologist, new series, 67(5), Part 2: Special Publications, 840-847.

Comment below on the most recent time you’ve cried and let’s remove the stigma to crying!