As humans, we have a range of emotions that we experience on a daily basis. From happiness and joy to anger and sadness, our emotions are what make us human and connect us to one another. But there is one emotion that is often misunderstood and stigmatized: crying.
"Tears may fall and hearts may break, But only once do we truly cry, For in that moment, all our pain, Is released and we can finally fly."
Leo Newhouse, LICSW – a senior social worker in Neurology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) – writes in this article by Harvard, “On average, American women cry 3.5 times each month; American men cry about 1.9 times per month. Medical benefits of crying have been known as far back as the Classical era. Crying releases oxytocin and endorphins, which ease physical and emotional pain. Boys are taught that real men do not cry. Many men need to learn how to reconnect with their emotions.
Education should begin early on, at home or at school, with adults making it safe for boys to talk about difficult feelings. The nation has registered over 500,000 deaths from COVID-19. Many people associate crying during grief with depression, when it can actually be a sign of healing. The best way to handle difficult feelings, including sadness and grief, is to embrace them.”
Crying can be one of the most powerful ways to heal yourself emotionally. Sometimes we get stuck in our emotions, and it can feel very difficult to deal with them. A feeling of loneliness or grief can keep us stuck in sadness for a long time. But when we cry, we release that sadness, and we can start feeling happier. It may sound strange, but crying has the power to heal your emotional pain. Crying can be a powerful tool to heal yourself emotionally. Crying is one of the easiest ways to express your feelings. For instance, if you are sad and you cry, that emotion will automatically flow out of you. When you cry, you are releasing negative emotions.
Cry; it’s okay.
In fact, it’s more than okay—it’s necessary.
Crying is often viewed as a sign of weakness, but in reality, it’s a powerful tool for healing and release. When we allow ourselves to cry, we open the floodgates to pent-up emotions and give ourselves permission to feel and process what’s going on inside.
While crying may be a sign of weakness in some people, it actually has the power to help us deal with life’s hardships. If you are feeling upset, you can allow yourself to cry. If you are angry, you can let yourself cry. If you are sad, you can let yourself cry. Crying can be very therapeutic. It can also assist you in releasing any emotions you are holding onto.
As someone once said, “The tears may fall and the heart may break, but only once do we truly cry, for in that moment, all our pain is released and we can finally fly.”
If you are feeling sad, you can let yourself cry. It doesn’t mean that you are weak.
BUT HOW EXACTLY DOES CRYING WORK TO HEAL US?
For one, tears serve a physical purpose by flushing out toxins and reducing stress hormones in the body. When we cry, our bodies produce chemicals called endorphins, which are known to boost our mood and reduce stress. Crying can also lower our heart rate and blood pressure, leading to a sense of relaxation and calm.
Crying also has mental and emotional benefits. It allows us to let go of negative emotions and can even provide a sense of closure or resolution. It allows us to process and express our emotions in a healthy way, rather than bottling them up and potentially causing harm to ourselves or others. It can also be a way for us to connect with others and form deeper bonds as we share our vulnerabilities and emotions.
However, it’s not always easy to cry, especially in a society that tells us to “suck it up” and hide our emotions. Many people hold back their tears out of fear of being judged or appearing vulnerable. But the truth is, crying is a natural and healthy response to difficult situations, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Crying Is Nothing to Be Ashamed of.
In fact, suppressing our tears can have negative consequences. Holding back tears can lead to increased feelings of stress, anger, and frustration. It can also cause physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, and tense muscles. On the other hand, crying can bring a sense of peace and release, helping us to feel lighter and more balanced.
The video below takes this topic further and explains why it is stigmatized.
So the next time you feel the urge to cry, don’t hold back. Allow yourself to feel and release those emotions. It may be difficult in the moment, but the healing power of crying can set you free and lead to a greater sense of well-being and peace.
