How often have you heard some version of the message, “It won’t do any good to cry about it”? One example is the saying, “There’s no use crying over spilled milk.” People say things like this all the time. People often talk about crying like it’s a waste of time because it won’t fix the problem. But the thing is, that’s not entirely true. Sure, crying won’t put the milk back in your glass. But there is actually a lot of use in crying over spilled milk!
How Tears Affect Physical and Mental Health
Experts have known about the health benefits of crying for thousands of years. Doctors and philosophers in ancient Greece saw tears as a way to purify the body. Current studies show that crying actually does clear away stress and lead to better physical health.
Keeping difficult emotions inside is linked to weaker immune system function and health conditions like cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Repressing emotions is also related to mental health issues like stress, anxiety, and depression.
Chemical Composition of Tears
Emotional tears have a different chemical composition than the tears that keep our eyes lubricated and clear of debris. Tears that clean and protect our eyes are mostly water. Emotional tears contain high levels of stress hormones, so crying literally flushes stress out of the body. The act of crying also floods the body with mood-boosting chemicals like oxytocin and endorphins. These healthy chemicals decrease both physical and emotional pain.
Tears Help People Come Together
Crying near other people helps strengthen relationships. Crying serves the evolutionary function of showing others you are in distress so that they can help. When you cry with people, you bond with them. Crying helps people recognize their shared humanity, which can help them treat each other with more compassion.
Crying Restores Balance
Releasing your feelings through crying helps restore emotional balance. The more intense emotions build up in your body, the more upset you will feel. Crying acts like a pressure release valve that helps you get back to normal after challenging experiences.
The Use In Crying Over Spilled Milk
Doctor Craig Smith, a psychology professor at Vanderbilt University, notes that crying helps to bring clarity and perspective. After crying, he says, “The person may often feel better able to take on whatever was causing the crying in the first place”(quoted in Miller, 2021). So crying over spilled milk doesn’t just help you process your emotions, it also prepares you to pour another glass.
When To Seek Help
If crying happens very often or for no clear reason to the point where it’s disrupting your life, this may signal a problem beyond normal coping. If this happens to you, or if you feel unable to cry even when you want to, you should see a mental health professional to identify the underlying problem.
How To Unlock The Health Benefits Of Tears
If you’re used to avoiding crying, it can seem like an odd idea to cry on purpose, and it might be hard to know how to start. But if you’re ready to unlock the health benefits of crying, there are several ways you can invite your tears to flow. Take a walk or a shower. Engage in breathwork. Watch a sad movie or listen to sad music. Write what you’re feeling without worrying about grammar or style. Talk about your feelings with someone you trust, or make an appointment with a therapist. Remember, crying is a normal and healthy way to process life’s challenges. Give yourself permission to access your tears.
Resources
Miller, K. (2021, November 11). 14 Benefits Of Crying When You Need To Just Let It All Out, According To Experts. Women’s Health. https://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/a38150358/benefits-of-crying/
Newhouse, L. L. (2021, March 1). Is crying good for you? Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-crying-good-for-you-2021030122020