In defence of tears: The science behind a good cry

When tears are streaming down your cheeks and you feel like you can’t breathe from sobbing, it can be difficult to see the silver lining. But it turns out that while tears generally go hand in hand with negative emotions, a good cry can actually soothe the soul.

For decades, scientists have dedicated their lives to studying tears. In babies, turning on the waterworks has the obvious purpose of soliciting attention from a parent. And from a physiological perspective, tears lubricate the eyes. But what about the psychological benefits of crying your eyes out?

Bought to you by a team of self-confessed cry-babies, here’s six reasons why a good blubber could be just what the doctor ordered:

Release toxins

As well as a mental cleanse, crying also helps to detox the body. During states of stress or anxiety the body increases its cortisol production, which can cause all kinds of problems. Like other exocrine processes, crying helps the body release the chemicals that produce cortisol. So, as well as making you feel better, crying serves as an outlet to help you destress, and detox.

Improve your mood

They may not be produced in a lab, but according to scientists tears can lift the mood better than any antidepressant. In a recent study a huge 90% of participants reported feeling better after a good cry, compared to just 8% who claimed it made them feel worse.

Purge negative energy

Beyond science and professional opinions, there’s no contesting the fact that a good cry can work wonders when it comes to purging negative energy. No, there’s not scientific proof. But it’s hard to argue with the concept that crying cleanses the emotions, and makes way for new, positive energy.

Relieve stress

Bottling up stress can be incredibly tough on the mind, and the body. Not only will you feel overwhelmed, but you may start to experience tension, tightness and other issues like headaches and high blood pressure. This is where crying can be a surprisingly effective outlet. Safe and effective, it provides an emotional release that goes hand in hand with physical benefits.

Boosts communication

There are a handful of unconfirmed theories surrounding why humans cry. One of the most outlandish is that humans descended from marine apes, and tears exists to help the eyes to focus out of water. Yep, we know! But one of the more interesting theories is that tears are simply a communication tool. Often, a crying spell can express what words can’t. When tears start to flow, a person is sending a clear cry for help. This can help to strengthen relationships, expose vulnerability and garner emotional support.

Trigger endorphins

Another theory is that crying stimulates the production of endorphins, aka feel good hormones. They serve as a natural pain killer, and can lift the mood in a matter of minutes. So if you’d rather throw on Titanic than hit the gym, just go for it!

In-between crying, laughing and general lubrication, the average person produces around 10 ounces of tears per day, and around 30 gallons a year. Tears may endure a stigma, but in reality they can be amazingly beneficial. So next time you feel like a good cry, why not indulge? Grab a box of Kleenex, let the tears flow and see if you feel better afterwards. Chances are, you will!