Have you ever heard somebody say to go have a good cry? The majority of times crying is not the result of something good, but a genuine cry can have its benefits. Many of the benefits are psychological and emotionally healing, but it can also help to release toxins and relieve stress. If any of you have had a good cry you’re wondering how this can be, because after said “good cry” you’re left feeling as if you’ve been punched in the gut and worn out. Well, that’s the initial response after we just wreaked havoc on our body, but the true results come later.
When you cry you release toxins. When we are stressed our cortisol levels are raised and crying helps release those. Dr. William H. Frey II, a biochemist and director of the Psychiatry Research Laboratories at the St. Paul-Ramsey Medical Centre, found like other endocrine processes, including exhaling, urinating, and sweating, toxic substances are released from the body when we cry. Tears also contain lysozyme which kills bacteria. So that good cry results in killing bacteria and releasing toxins.
Tears can also improve your mood. It sounds like an oxymoron, but a Study by the University of South Florida found crying can be self-soothing and elevate mood better than any antidepressant. I know crying isn’t exactly the cool thing to do, but next time you’re on the verge of breaking down, perhaps you should let the flood gates down and have at it instead of holding it back to save face.
Tell me what you think about all these tears? Are you one that lets it out or holds it back, and knowing that tears have benefits will you let them flow the next go round?
Medical Daily lists 6 ways that crying can benefit us HERE