There's at least 4 reasons why you should cry! Crying is this thing that we’ve always been so scared to do, but in reality, crying is the thing that keeps us all going. It keeps us mentally sane, regulates our emotions, and releases all the pent-up frustration we’ve been keeping inside.
There’s no reason why we shouldn’t cry. Can you think of any? Each reason that I’ve ever come across to not cry is just a preconception that’s been drilled into our head, but it keeps us farther and farther away from feeling better. There are actually at least five great reasons why I think we should all cry, not to cry on demand, but just to allow the rivers to flow when we need to.
1. Crying is our main emotional regulator.
Our urge to cry is a natural response that our body is urging us to do. We’ve gone through something stressful and want to cry, so there’s no reason why we should hold it back. Crying helps us release endorphins, oxytocin, and especially stress hormones.
With endorphins, these are our body’s natural painkillers and mood lifters, helping us reduce physical and emotional pain, and inducing a sense of well-being and relaxation. This is the reason why we feel so much lighter after we cry!
Oxytocin is the hormone that’s often referred to as the “love” or “bonding” hormone, promoting feelings of trust, empathy, and connection with others. The few people that we’re willing to cry in front of are usually the people that we’re the closest to and are comfortable being vulnerable in front of. Crying only makes this bond stronger.
Best of all, crying reduces our stress. Our overall stress level goes down after we cry, as it’s the most cathartic feeling that you can experience whenever you’re stressed. Whenever you feel pent up and frustrated from life, think of crying as an emotional bathroom. It’s there for you to get rid of all the toxins within your body, just one cry at a time.
2. Crying improves our relationships.
Engaging in regular crying can enhance our emotional intelligence. Each time we cry, we’re allowing ourselves to experience and express our emotions fully. We become more aware and understand ourselves better, which in turn, helps us understand other people better. We know how they feel when we see them cry, because we’ve gone through the same thing ourselves. It improves our communication, empathy, and even problem-solving skills. You can share your own experiences, encourage others to embrace those emotions and understand that it’s okay to cry.
It’s not embarrassing to cry in front of someone! Okay, it might be a little embarrassing at first. But after a while, you realize that you’ve created a really close bond to someone who you’re okay with being vulnerable in front of! You have someone to validate your struggles, and you’re creating a supportive community that understands the value of crying and regulating your emotions. Break down those societal barriers and misconceptions about crying. It’s what makes us feel better.
3. Crying keeps us healthy!
Other than just the emotions surrounding crying, it actually gives us great physical benefits too! Our tear ducts are producing tears that help cleanse and lubricate our eyes. There’s fake tear drops for a reason!
Not that we want you to cry all the time, but having some tears come out can get rid of dust and allergens, especially during this pollen season. The relief that we feel from crying gets rid of some of the pain that comes from the headaches that build up when we’re stressed as well! The endorphins released from crying are our body’s natural painkillers, getting rid of the pain that we feel from headaches and migraines.
4. Crying is self-care.
It really is. Contrary to popular belief, crying does not make us weak. In fact, it makes us stronger and more resilient. We’re acknowledging our emotions and processing them in a healthy way, engaging in self-care and self-reflection. It helps us bounce back from difficult situations and face challenges right after with a clear mind. Embracing our emotions is the first step while crying helps us let them go and carry on.
Personally, I’ve noticed that crying is especially looked down upon among men. We’re often unable to express our emotions openly. That creates a barrier between us and our loved ones for clear and effective communication. With romantic relationships, the avoidance of our emotions can often lead to misunderstandings, resentment, and a lack of emotional connection.
If you’re a man, know that it’s okay to cry! If not, tell your boyfriend and all your other male friends that it’s okay to cry! We’re missing out on crucial opportunities for self-reflection and personal development. Understanding our emotions instead of neglecting them is a fundamental part of being human. When we don’t express our emotions, how can our partners ever understand what we need, desire, and are concerned with?
It’s crucial that we challenge society’s expectations of suppressing our emotions just because we’re men. It’s especially because we’re men that we need to understand ourselves and use crying as a healthy way to not just cope with, but process our emotions.
Let your tears flow.
So, the next time you want to cry, let it flow. Crying is a release valve for all those pent-up emotions and tension that you’ve kept inside. You can see those intangible emotions become something that you touch and feel. It validates your experience and most importantly, makes you feel better.