Crying is a common human reaction that can be triggered by different emotions.
We cry when sad, joyful, or overwhelmed by internal and external forces in our lives.
Some people simply cry while watching movies or when they notice a humanitarian act or something super cute.
However, some people while growing up might have been taught that crying is a sign of weakness or something to be ashamed of.
Here’s a compiled list of why you should let those tears flow when you need to:
1. May clear skin
Emotional tears contain stress hormones and other toxins. When we cry we release all these, thereby reducing stress.
Skin issues such as acne and breakouts can be caused by stress and therefore crying can indirectly reduce the acne by reducing the stress.
2. Detoxifies the body
Reflex tears clear debris from the eyes and basal tears lubricate the eyes and keep them from infection. Emotional tears on the other hand flush out toxins and stress hormones leaving you feeling lighter after crying.
3. Has a soothing effect
Self-soothing is when people calm themselves, regulate their own emotions, or reduce their own distress.
Studies have shown crying has a direct and self-soothing effect on people due to the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which helps in relaxing.
However, the benefits may take several minutes of crying before they're felt. It also releases Oxytocin which gives a sense of calm and well being
4. Restores emotional balance
Researchers believe that crying is a way of restoring emotional equilibrium.
Since we cry due to strong emotions such as extreme fear, sadness, grief, or happiness, crying helps us process these emotions and restores our bodies to equilibrium.
5. It dulls the pain
Crying can help dull both physical and emotional pain.
Crying causes your body to release hormones like Oxytocin and Endorphins which are naturally designed to ease the pain.
That's why you may sometimes feel numb after a big cry.
6. It helps when coping with grief.
Crying is the normal response to hurt and grief among other emotions. It can be helpful since it helps in experiencing and processing our emotions allowing us to deal with whatever is troubling us fully over time and decrease it.
Unfortunately even with all these benefits, crying as an expression of emotion is frowned upon, especially when it comes to men.
This leads to men being more closed off about their feelings and carrying a lot of stress without an outlet. This leads to them having spent up anger within them which in turn may end up damaging their relationships with others.
Next time something feels overwhelming, consider letting out that big cry in a closed space away from judging eyes since it’s the first time.
Well, it doesn't have to be big, small sniffles are a start.
Don't be embarrassed when the tears fall.
Or use cutting onions as an excuse to cry if you fear injuring your masculinity.
A man expressing his emotions
Feel the emotion and acknowledge whatever is making you feel so, this does not make you lesser in any way.
Learn to embrace your emotions they help you clear your head thus coping with things better.
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