5 Reasons why crying is good for your health

huibing

10 Aug 2017

1/5
Cleanses your eyes
Sometimes, you’re not crying because you’re feeling an abundance of emotions. At times, you just cry for seemingly no reason, but there could be underlying causes behind it. This could be because of the entrance of dust or other irritants in your eyes, or simply because it is too dry. By crying, you’re adding moisture to the surface of your eyes, cleansing it, and getting rid of foreign particles as well.
2/5
Relieves stress
The hustle and bustle of everyday life can lead to pressure and unwanted stress. And, the best way to deal with it is to simply let it go. Stress, like everything else, is a result of chemical imbalances and crying could actually help level it out. Tearing up has been linked to a reduction in stress hormones in your body. So, cry it out and feel your body relaxing!
3/5
Kills bacteria
When it comes to killing pesky germs and bacteria, it is likely that you’ll think of hand sanitisers and anti-bacterial wipes first. But, here’s something that will probably surprise you: tears can do the same too! Our tears contain an enzyme called lysozyme and its antimicrobial properties helps to break down the cell wall of bacterias. Essentially it’s potent against bacteria, killing up to 95% in 10 minutes. So, the next time you feel yourself sobbing a little, remember that it’s doing something pretty good for your body.
4/5
Improves mood
While laughter is the best medicine for a sour mood, crying is no slouch either. Crying actually released endorphins, pain-reducing hormones, that will make all the bad feelings seem more manageable. Studies have shown that those facing emotional stress can actually end up feeling better when they’ve let out a good tear or two. Admittedly, you might feel worse while you are actually crying, the aftermath will make you feel slightly better.
5/5
Connecting with friends
And. at the root of it all, crying makes you vulnerable. From an evolutionary standpoint, tearing is a sign of submission and shows that you’re seeking social attachments. This makes you more approachable and creates the human connection that will help you get through the bad days. So, just cry it out and seek comfort from close family and friends.

Crying has often been seen as a sign of weakness, but these 5 benefits to crying might just change your mind.

Sometimes, we just need to let it all out. Whether it’s because of a sad show, a recent breakup, or an upsetting event at work, our emotions can be easily triggered to provide a flood of tears. And, more often than not, we prefer to hide those tears and to swallow our sadness (or happiness!). After all, we have been taught that crying is a sign of weakness and something we should be ashamed of, and we would much rather wallow in the comfort of our own homes. Even then, people would rather move on instantly, putting everything behind them and pretending nothing bad ever existed. But, did you know that our tears provide more than just a visual representation of our feelings?

So, yes, the next time you’re feeling the familiar prickling at the corner of your eyes, don’t hold it back. Instead, just let it go. Crying has been shown to have great benefits that would improve your health in the strangest of ways. This means that you’re not just releasing your pent-up feelings, you’re also helping your body. Interested to find out exactly how your tears will help? Then, put on your favourite (sad or happy) movie, scroll through our gallery, and prepare your box of tissues!

Lee Hui Bing

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