One of The Weeknd‘s most famous songs, Save Your Tears, suggest that it is better to cry another day than today.
The ongoing stigma of bottling up sadness and tears has been engraved in society for so long that being transparent with everything you feel is still foreign and unacceptable to some.
Crying has always been a form of weakness and vulnerability. No one wants to appear helpless, especially in public. But not many are aware of its benefits. Yes! Crying is beneficial, especially for your mental health.
Do you know? Crying is a natural response to emotions like sadness, happiness, anger, and frustration. Therefore, it is never weird to shed a tear or two.
Types of tears
- Basal
- Basal tears are a protein-rich antibacterial liquid that keeps the eye moist whenever a person blinks.
- Reflex
- Triggered by irritants like wind, smoke or onions, these tears are released to flush them out and protect the eye.
- Emotional
- It is a response to feelings.
- This type of tear contains higher levels of stress hormones than basal and reflex tears.
The benefits of crying
Surpassing emotions are never a good thing, as science suggests that it makes you miss out on its benefits.
Here are some of the benefits of crying:
- Soothes the soul
- An emotion regulator.
- Gives calming effects.
- Reduces distress.
- Research carried out in 2014 found that crying might have a direct soothing effect on people.
- A trigger for self-support
- Crying, as classified by the study made in 2016, is an attachment behaviour.
- It triggers support from the people around you, also known as an interpersonal or social benefit.
- A pain reliever
- By crying, your body releases oxytocin and endorphins.
- These chemicals are responsible for making you feel good.
- It reduces pain and stimulates a sense of well-being.
- Mood enhancer
- Crying will lift your spirit.
- As stated previously, oxytocin and endorphins are hormones for fostering a good mood.
- Toxin releaser and stress reliever
- Stress hormones are released when you cry.
- Researchers claim that crying could reduce the stress level chemicals in your body.
- Thus, it eases stress.
- Promotes better sleep
- A study in 2015 underlines that crying helps babies sleep better.
- However, this study is not yet accountable for adults.
- Still, crying gives the calming, mood-enhancing and pain-reducer that helps sleep better.
- Bacterial fighter
- Shedding tears kill bacteria and clean the eyes.
- This is because tears contain a fluid called lysozyme.
- A study made in 2011 suggests that lysozyme contains antimicrobial properties that reduce risks presented by bioterror agents like anthrax.
- Vision improver
- Basal tears help keep the eyes moist and prevent mucous membranes from drying.
- National Eye Institute explains that the lubricating effect of basal tears improves vision.
Don’t save your tears for another day, as crying today makes you feel better instantly. Release those pent-up emotions by crying, and tomorrow will be better. It always will.
Source: Medical News Today, National Library of Medicine, National Eye Institute, Youtube The Weeknd