6 Reasons Why Crying Is Actually A Good Thing
Start writing a post
Student Life

6 Reasons Why Crying Is Actually A Good Thing

"Sometimes, crying is the only way your eyes speak when your mouth can't explain how broken your heart is. "

119
6 Reasons Why Crying Is Actually A Good Thing
Step to Health

I am an emotional person. I feel it all. I do not mind crying, even in front of other people. I have no problem letting tears shed at an emotional event or during a sad movie. Sometimes I do keep my feelings to myself, but I always let myself feel them, even if that means going into a room by myself. I do not mind being emotional, it feels good to let my feelings out, and I believe it is part of my personality. However, I know people who do not like crying. Maybe they do not want to let others know what they are feeling, or they think that crying makes them look weak, or they just do not have that much emotional capacity for tears. As someone who believes that crying can be extremely relieving and that it is an important part of the human emotional experience, I have dug up six reasons why it is not only absolutely okay to cry, but good to:

1. There are health benefits

Believe it or not, crying actually has physical benefits in addition to mental ones. Studies have shown that crying cleans toxins from your body. Crying helps your body get rid of chemicals that contain cortisol—the hormone that contains stress! So next time you are trying to resist the urge to cry out of feeling stressed, let it out—crying may reduce it!

2. It helps you feel more in line with your emotions

Ever had one of those moments where you feel like you are sad about something, but you do not know exactly what? Or there is something you do not want to be sad about but are anyway? Well, sometimes we are confused about our feelings, and we want to cry but feel that if we do, everything will not be “okay” (and then we cannot prove to ourselves that we are perfectly happy), right? Wrong. If you do not know how you feel about something, keeping your natural emotions from coming out will not make anything better. Letting out a good cry will help wash away those conflicting emotions; it will help you prove to yourself that something is wrong and that you are not happy about something. As strange as it sounds, we sometimes need to let our natural juices (or tears) do their work to convince us how we are feeling. If you can truly prove to yourself that you are upset, you will feel more ready to talk about the situation and find ways to improve it.

3. It helps you connect with people

This sounds incredibly strange, but I always seem to feel closer to people once I have experienced them cry in front of me or vice versa. Crying in front of others shows people that you are a human being—you can be vulnerable or sensitive at times, and you have real, genuine emotions. Beyond that, crying with someone shows that you trust them—you are giving them a piece of your fragile emotions, letting them into your life, and making it clear that you are not afraid to ask for help. It also lets them know that if they ever need a shoulder to cry on, you will be there for them—that is the type of person we all need in life.

4. It also signals to people that you need help

While crying is not the only side of sadness, it is sometimes hard for others to tell how sad you are about something unless you show obvious signs—one of them, of course, are tears. And crying because you need help is not a sign of attention seeking! Remember in “Inside Out,” when Joy realized the true purpose of Sadness? Sadness was there to help Riley signal to her peers that she was feeling down, and her family and friends came to help her! If you are not actually sad, do not cry just to get attention. But if you really feel like letting the waterworks flow, I guarantee they will appear genuine, and others will be more likely to listen and to try to help you.

5. It makes you feel—and appear—strong

Many think that crying would make them appear to be weak, but it is actually just the opposite. Letting people see your emotions is a very valuable and strong trait—it is a sign of confidence. Also, if you are crying, it must be for a very good reason, meaning that there is something hard you are going through. Crying about it means you have held onto it for as long as you can and that you are dealing with it. And that is absolutely okay.

6. It is cleansing—literally and figuratively

It is simply a fact that crying is cleansing—not only does it clear out those stress-producing chemicals, but it also literally cleanses your mind. It cleans the build-up of emotions you have wanted to let out for so long but did not have the courage to. It cleans all the negative thoughts you have stuck in your mind. It helps you come to terms with your feelings when words cannot describe them. When crying, you are letting go of emotional baggage that is taking over. Whether you want to cry to your best friend’s face or into your pillow, please do not be afraid to cry.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

21894
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

948823
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

125704
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments