Is frequent crying useful or harmful?
What are its benefits and harms?
What is the correct way to cry to relieve stress and anxiety?
Is frequent crying useful or harmful?
Researchers have proven that crying releases oxytocin and endogenous opioids, also known as endorphins, and these chemicals help relieve physical and emotional pain, according to the Harvard University website.
However, constant crying and sadness may indicate an emotional or psychological problem that needs medical or social intervention, a person who has lost a loved one may need support from his friends, and a person with depression may need to take medication.
There may be benefits to crying in reducing stress, but crying a lot and continuous and not followed by an improvement in the psychological state requires a doctor or psychological counselor.
Does crying relieve pain?
According to a report in Healthline, crying releases oxytocin and endorphins, and these chemicals can help relieve physical pain;
Once the endorphins are released your body may go somewhat numb, and oxytocin can give you a feeling of calm or well-being.
Why do I cry over the most trivial reasons?
Crying may be for no specific reason, or for small or insignificant reasons, such as:
It may be a physical problem, such as hormonal changes such as thyroid problems, pregnancy, and menopause.
Exhaustion Not getting enough sleep.
There is an event or something that upsets you, such as a fight with a close friend.
Experiencing emotional trauma, such as witnessing a mischievous appearance.
Sadness and depression.
Anxiety and stress.
Is crying a sign of weakness or strength?
Medically, crying cannot be seen as a sign of weakness or strength;
Crying is a behavior caused by causes, and may help relieve emotional pain, but its causes must be known and dealt with.
benefits of crying
In a report for The Wall Street Journal, author Elizabeth Bernstein says that psychologists confirm that crying is an important coping mechanism;
It allows us to express turbulent emotions, as well as reduce stress by activating the sympathetic nervous system, which controls the body's ability to relax.
Perhaps most importantly, it allows us to seek emotional support and bonding.
"Suppression of painful emotions suppresses the ability to feel all emotions, and crying is one of the best ways to feel better," says Natalie Dattilo, a clinical psychologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
Psychologists say that people tend to cry more when they are going through tough times.
In other words, when we feel chronically stressed, sleep deprived, anxious about the future, or lose our social connections, you become unbearable and collapse into tears.
types of crying
Crying can be divided according to the types of tears that are shed, and scientists divide tears into 3 distinct categories:
reflex tears
continuous tears
emotional tears
The first and second categories perform an important function of removing dirt - such as smoke and dust - from our eyes, and moisturizing them to help protect them from infection, and water makes up 98% of their content.
The third category flushes stress hormones and other toxins from our system, which are likely to provide the most health benefits.
Researchers have proven that crying releases relaxing chemicals such as oxytocin and endorphins, which help relieve physical and emotional pain.
Crying damages
"Not all tears are helpful," says clinical psychologist Ad Fingerhuts, who has studied crying for more than 30 years.
When Fingerhuts and his colleagues studied people in 35 countries to try to understand when crying is beneficial, they found that people feel better after crying when someone else responds to them in a kind and supportive way.
The researchers also found that people who feel better after crying are those who are mentally healthy to move on, and those who are depressed and cry a lot are less likely to feel better afterward.
In the words of Dr. Fingerhuts, "The reason for this may be due to the fact that when people cry a lot, others may ignore them."
Fingerhuts explains that the causes of crying vary throughout our lives;
When we are young we cry when we experience physical pain, and as we age we shed tears of sympathy for someone else's suffering, or for any other emotional reasons.
Whatever the age, we cry when we feel helpless or frustrated, or when we feel lost, or for other reasons.
The difference between women and men when crying
According to Dr. Fingerhuts, women cry more than men, about 2 to 5 times a month, compared to men who cry once or less every two months.
Men do not cry over something normal, such as a computer failure, and this may be due to the fact that they are culturally prepared to hold back their tears, and because testosterone prevents them from crying, but they do cry over the same serious situations, such as a tragedy or a heartbreak, and men tend to cry more easily as they progress in age.
Crying the right way
Here are some top tips for crying the right way to relieve stress and anxiety:
Find a safe place
Lauren Belsma, associate professor of psychiatry and psychology at the University of Pittsburgh, who studies crying, says:
"If you want to benefit from crying, you have to cry in a place where you feel comfortable."
She explains that most people prefer to cry at home, alone or in the presence of someone close to them, between 7 and 10 pm.
A friend can help you
Research shows that crying can be most beneficial when we do it in front of someone who supports us, such as a close friend or partner.
And in order to get the support you need, Dr. Belsma suggests, "cry with burning, so you may feel relieved."
crying solo
You may feel more comfortable crying alone;
You can let the tears fall and get rid of all the stress that you are experiencing.
In fact;
Some people find it easier to focus on their emotions and process them on their own.
Do not feel shy
Dr. Fingerhuts says that feeling shy will cancel out the positive benefits of crying;
So focus on what's bothering you, not your reaction.
Contrary to popular belief;
Others don't see people who usually cry as weak when their crying is real, and instead those who cry are seen as sympathetic, trustworthy and honest, research by Dr. Fingerhuts et al.
Allow yourself to cry
Think of it as self-care;
Relax, put a "tissue box" next to you, and think about what makes you sad.
According to Dr. Dattilo, "Crying can be a very effective treatment and a way to strengthen your emotions."
And if you need help to make your tears fall, choose a movie, book, or music that might move you, and be sure to pick something that affects you deeply;
"If you feel like crying, let yourself go, because holding back tears takes a lot of effort and over time will wear you out," says Dr. Belsma.