Crying has been the core part of everyone’s life. From childhood to puberty to adulthood to old age, crying has played a grave part in conveying or hiding our emotions. It has always been a conveyer of mixed signals like ‘I had enough’, ‘Thank you’, Don’t leave me’, ‘I am sorry’ and so much more.
Crying is a parameter to define Good vs Bad happening in one’s life. However, crying is so much more than just venting out the truth or pain to oneself or someone, it’s healthy for our body, mind and soul; physically, mentally and emotionally.
So, Is crying beneficial to health or harmful? Here’s your answer:
Good Effects of crying:
- People who cry can easily pacify themselves. People can relax by crying because it stimulates their parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
- People cry as an attachment behaviour, meaning they do so to elicit support from others around them. This is referred to as a social or interpersonal advantage.
- Oxytocin and endorphins are released when someone cries emotionally. In addition to making individuals feel happy, these molecules may help relieve mental and physical suffering.
- We feel lighter and happier after crying because it lowers the body’s levels of stress-related hormones.
- Sleep quality is improved by crying. One’s ability to fall asleep more quickly increases with crying volume.
- Tears include a substance called lysozyme, which helps to destroy germs like anthrax by keeping the eyes clean.
- Your body actively produces basal tears to treat dry eyes. Therefore, crying enables your tears to function as “a natural defence” for your eyes.
Fact: Women shed emotional tears between 30 and 64 times a year on average (up to five times a month).
Bad Effects of crying:
- Tension headaches can result from excessive crying.
- It may result in fits or cause severe breathlessness.
- When you cry excessively, your facial muscles are tensed up and your skin becomes reddish and swollen.
- A runny nose that comes along with crying also puts pressure on your sinuses.
- Those who have serious heart issues may have cardiac discomfort.
- If you have certain medical issues, crying can be hard on your body.
According to psychology, when we feel powerless and hopeless, we weep. As a kind of communication that lets others know “I need your aid and support,” crying is a social trigger for empathy. It’s okay to cry, it’s okay to be not okay.
