CRYING is a natural response humans have to a range of emotions, including sadness, grief, joy, and frustration. But does crying have any health benefits?
It is not unusual to cry, and both sexes cry more than people may assume. In the United States, women cry an average of 3.5 times per month and men cry an average of 1.9 times a month.
Interestingly, humans are the only animals to cry tears. This article explores why we cry and what health benefits crying may have.
Basal: The tear ducts constantly secrete basal tears, which are a protein-rich antibacterial liquid that help to keep the eyes moist every time a person blinks.
Reflex: These are tears triggered by irritants such as wind, smoke, or onions. They are released to flush out these irritants and protect the eye.
Emotional: Humans shed tears in response to a range of emotions. These tears contain a higher level of stress hormones than other types of tears.
When people talk about crying, they are usually referring to emotional tears.
BENEFITS OF CRYING
People may try to suppress tears if they see them as a sign of weakness, but science suggests that doing so could mean missing out on a range of benefits. Researchers have found that crying:
1…. CRYING HAS A SOOTHING EFFECT:
Self-soothing is when people: regulate their own emotions calm themselves reduce their own distress
A Source found that crying may have a direct, self-soothing effect on people. The study explained how crying activates the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which helps people relax.On this basis however, crying is primarily an attachment of behavior, as it rallies support from the people around us. This is known as an interpersonal or social benefit.
3. HELPS TO RELIEVE PAIN
Research has that in addition to being self-soothing, shedding emotional tears releases oxytocin and endorphins.
These chemicals make people feel good and may also ease both physical and emotional pain. In this way, crying can help reduce pain and promote a sense of well-being.
4. ENHANCES YOUR MOOD:
Crying may help lift people’s spirits and make them feel better. As well as relieving pain, oxytocin and endorphins can help improve mood. This is why they are often known as “feel good” chemicals.
5. IT RELEASES TOXINS AND RELIEVES STRESS:
When humans cry in response to stress, their tears contain a number of stress hormones and other chemicals.
Researchers believe that crying could reduce the levels of these chemicals in the body, which could, in turn, reduce stress.
6. AIDS SLEEP:
A small study in 2015 found that crying can help babies sleep better. Whether crying has the same sleep-enhancing effect on adults is yet to be researched.
However, it follows that the calming, mood-enhancing, and pain-relieving effects of crying above may help a person fall asleep more easily.
7. FIGHTS BACTERIA:
Crying helps to kill bacteria and keep the eyes clean as tears contain a fluid called lysozyme.
A source found that lysozyme had such powerful antimicrobial properties that it could even help to reduce risks presented by bioterror agents, such as anthrax.
8. IMPROVES VISION:
Basal tears, which are released every time a person blinks, help to keep the eyes moist and prevent mucous membranes from drying out.
National Eye InstituteTrusted Source explains, the lubricating effect of basal tears helps people to see more clearly. When the membranes dry out, vision can become blurry.
Crying in response to emotions such as sadness, joy, or frustration is normal and has a number of health benefits.
However, sometimes frequent crying can be a sign of depression. People may be depressed if their crying.
In conclusion however, crying in response to something that makes you happy or sad is normal and healthy. Don’t shy away from shedding tears if you feel the need to release. Excessive crying is something you should chat about with your doctor.
