The benefits of crying
Adults typically cry at important events in their lives, when they experience intense emotions, such as grief, helplessness, deep frustration, sympathy and happiness. While most people see crying as a sign of distress, crying is also experienced at weddings, or when a child is born, events that trigger a physiological and emotional arousal in us. Regrettably, social and cultural attitudes have been created about crying as a manifestation of sorrow feelings, this normal response being related to lack of emotional control, vulnerability, a sign of weakness that is specific to women, children and insecure people. These attitudes alter this involuntary response, causing people to shut down their emotional expression.
Researchers have found that a good cry when experiencing unpleasant emotions benefits both the body and our mind. As our mind and body work together, when we experience strong emotions, such as fear, the amygdala, which plays an important role in processing emotions, is activated. The amygdala triggers the hypothalamus, which modulates both the sympathetic (the flight or fight response) and parasympathetic systems (which is responsible to restore balance after the flight or fight response has passed). Though, crying is not entirely an involuntary response influenced only by emotional factors. It is also activated by cognitive factors. The prefrontal cortex, which is accountable for higher-order cognitive capabilities, including choice-making and impulse control, allows people to alter their emotions and decide if they want to cry.
The parasympathetic nervous system counteracts the effects of the sympathetic nervous system, integrating emotional stress information and releasing stress hormones. The act of crying can be a cathartic release, the onset of crying being associated with an increase in heart rate, respiration and blood pressure. While crying, oxytocin and endogenous opioids (also known as endorphins), which are feel-good chemicals, are released by our body, to help release tension and lower stress levels, alleviating both emotional and physical pain. Crying is a natural self-soothing mechanism.
When people choose to suppress emotional expression, such as crying, stress leads to prolonged elevation of cortisol that can lead to immune suppression and increased susceptibility to illness. Suppressing emotional expression is also linked to irritability, anxiety, poor sleep and emotional disconnection.
Crying can also improve social relationships. Crying in front of other people elicits support from others. When the other person’s sadness or pain is acknowledged, it brings empathy and compassion toward their feelings. It recognizes vulnerability as a sign of strength and it invites for deeper connections.
Crying is a sign of emotional insight. By allowing this emotional expression, people recognize their need to express their feelings. Feelings are not something “bad” and not something to be fearful of. They can be a constructive force for change and self-compassion.
