The Perks of Crying Your Eyes Out

You may wonder how anything good can come from crying. I don’t know about you, but when I cry, I actually feel physically weak. My eyes are red and swollen for hours, my nose is stuffy, my head is pounding, and on top of that, the dark and threatening cloud of doom and unhappiness that is resting comfortably above me just won’t budge. Nope. Crying is not a good thing at all. That’s what I used to think. But I’ve recently discovered that it’s a very healthy and normal way to express emotion. The side-effects of a sobbing session aren’t at all glamorous, but the results are magical. Here are 5 perks:

1. Contrary to what you may think, sobbing can actually lift your spirits. Your body doesn’t behave optimally when your brain is warm. When you sob, you take in quick, cool breaths that actually lower your brain’s temperature. Try it now by fake-sobbing. Notice those quick little breaths? That’s what happens during a real sobbing episode. Those little breaths cool your brain and eventually your mood. That’s one reason sobbing advocates use this little oxymoron, Go on. Have a good cry. 
2. Crying is sometimes necessary in dealing with the loss of a loved one or a relationship. It could help you to move through the stages of grief more quickly.
3. The emotional type of crying (sobbing) releases stress hormones and toxins that have built up in your body. It could improve your sleep, help you to lose weight, and may even lower your blood pressure.
4. When you cry in front of others, you are allowing them to see the vulnerable side of you. They can see your emotions in a way that mere words cannot express. This can create a bond and may strengthen your relationships.
5. Crying can help to balance out your emotional equilibrium. You not only cry when you’re sad, you are sometimes so overwhelmed that you cry when you’re scared or even when you’re happy. Since your adrenaline skyrockets during these instances, crying can help move your body back to a more normal balance.

So when your chin starts quivering and your eyes begin blinking at warp speed, it’s a sure sign that your sobbing session is about to spring forth. For the sake of your health and well-being, let that pent-up cry out of its prison.