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Crying is something we all do. Whether it’s in the car after a horrendous day at work, in the shower, at the movies, behind sunglasses at the grocery store, or when we’re balled up under the covers, we’ve all done it at some point.
There’s something that feels so, well, good about crying and shedding tears. Maybe it’s how they blur our vision so that we don’t have to look at the reality of the sh*tty situation we’re in. Or maybe it’s the way they make us feel like we’re emotional warriors, decorated with salty, tear-badges of honor.
Or maybe there’s just simply more to crying than meets the blurry, watery eyes.
Turns out, there are actually a lot of reasons as to why crying is good for your mental health. Crying is not just a normal, side effect of being human; it’s a healthy, emotional release that nourishes your soul and restores balance to your mental health.
So the next time you feel the salty sob-fest stirring in your throat and behind your eyes, embrace the tears that are soon to flow. There are actually a ton of benefits that come with crying.
10 Reasons Why Crying Benefits Your Mental Health and Well-Being
1. It releases toxins. Much like other exocrine processes (e.g., sweating), crying actually helps to remove toxins from the body. Tears contain a number of chemicals and stress hormones, so when we cry and release those tears, those hormones and chemicals are effectively removed, hence why you feel less stressed after crying.
2. It improves your vision. Tears are produced by the lacrimal gland, which helps to clear your vision by keeping the eyeballs and eyelids lubricated. When you cry, your tears bathe your eyes and keep them moisturized, while also clearing away any dirt or debris.
3. It alleviates stress. Ever notice how much more relaxed you feel after a good cry? When you cry, you not only release stress hormones and toxins from the body, but you also reduce tension and anxiety. Crying is actually a far more effective way of coping with pain than bottling up your feelings, which can lead to symptoms like headaches or even high blood pressure. So the next time you feel stressed out and anxious, don’t hold back those tears. Let ‘em flow! Crying will help you to healthily release any pent up feelings of stress, anxiety, or frustration.
4. It improves your mood. It may sound a little contradictory that crying, something we associate with sadness, can actually make you happy. However, research has shown that tears may be more effective than prescription antidepressants when it comes to lifting your mood. According to this study, crying was found to be far more self-soothing and mood lifting than any medication.
5. It releases endorphins. Ever notice how great you feel after a workout? Those are your endorphins. Endorphins are those happy, feel-good chemicals that our brains release. When you cry, you actually release those same chemicals, which help to ease both emotional and physical pain.
6. It helps to process grief. Grieving is a process that involves several stages, including crying. Crying helps you to both process and accept loss in your life. So when you cry, you’re not only self-soothing, you’re also effectively coping with pain and/or loss.
7. It balances your emotions. Crying isn’t mutually exclusive with sadness. You can cry over any emotional event. When you’re elated, scared, or just plain stressed out. Research has shown that when you cry during such events, you’re actually restoring emotional equilibrium. Your body knows how to respond to emotional imbalances, and crying is simply a way to restore that balance.
8. You kick-start your creativity. Crying is a way of processing pain and hurt. When you cry and feel pain to the very core of your being, you see yourself and life in a new, different way. You make that intense, soul-searching journey through suffering and sadness and ultimately, you end up on the other side. Such an emotional passage helps you to think more deeply and creatively.
9. It allows you to start anew. When you process pain and distress through crying, you allow yourself to overcome the anguish and grief you feel. This lets you effectively close the door on the previous chapter of your suffering, while simultaneously opening the door for the next chapter to start. So the next time you’ve had a good cry, don’t lament over the loss or the end of something; rather, use it as a way to propel you forward into a fresh, new chapter.
10. It’s restorative for your mental health. Crying is a means of emotional cleansing. It helps to remove the negative energy and emotions, leaving room for happier, more positive emotions. So the next time you’re feeling sad, angry, or disappointed, use crying as a means of removing those negative feelings, and restoring your mental health.
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