Crying is a natural human function typically associated with overwhelming emotions like happiness, sadness, frustration, or relief. Crying can hold a negative connotation as being representative of a sign of vulnerability, which is commonly misconstrued as weakness. Despite this common belief, crying has actually been found to promote emotional resilience. Suppressing tears can lead to emotional repression and heightened levels of stress.
Crying serves an important physiological purpose in aiding emotional regulation. Tears are triggered by the brain's limbic system, which is responsible for emotional regulation. Tears have also been found to contain stress hormones, such as cortisol and emotional toxins. Surrendering to the flow of tears provides an emotional release of built-up tension while also allowing for the expression and processing of feelings, which may otherwise be difficult to verbalise or articulate.
In further support of the emotional regulation benefits, research also suggests that crying activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces states of arousal and promotes relaxation. This process facilitates states of catharsis, promotes balance, and restoration of emotional equilibrium.
The power of crying also carries weight in social roles; according to evolutionists, humans developed emotional crying to serve a social purpose. The purpose intended for crying was to signal to those in close proximity that support was needed. This can be linked to why it can be a usual response to experience empathy and compassion when witnessing someone crying. Additionally, interpersonal connections can also be regarded as a benefit in allowing yourself to cry in the presence of others. Collective crying has also found creation and strengthening within social bonds; it has been found that individuals that cry together, experience a sense of shared vulnerability, which fosters a deeper sense of shared understanding and connection.
Crying can be considered a central part of therapeutic interventions. As psychotherapists aim to provide a comfortable, safe, and non-judgemental space for clients, it can be common to express emotions through the release of tears, which can often be regarded as alleviating and providing the sense of 'a weight being lifted'. Tears can serve as a transformative process that can allow for deeper emotional exploration while fostering healing and acceptance on the journey to self-discovery. Crying can also be regarded as an integral part of grief and trauma therapy. Therapists will hold their clients in their space honoring their grief and pain and allowing these emotions to flow freely while working together to integrate their emotions in a safe and meaningful way.
In actuality, crying provides all the aforementioned benefits and probably more. So the next time you find yourself resisting your tears, remember that humans are made to cry. Allow yourself the release that your body is signalling that it needs, and be mindful of any feelings or sensations you notice as a result.
Carly Ryan