The Benefits of Crying
Posted by Donna Rain-O'Dell on 5/13/2020 7:00:00 AM
Wait, crying means you are depressed, right? Or weak? Or only babies cry? Nope, there are many benefits to an occasional cry.
Crying may be one of your best mechanisms to self-soothe.
Crying can release endorphins. Endorphins can help ease both physical and emotional pain. Once the endorphins are released, your body may go into somewhat of a numb stage. This can give you a sense of calm or well-being.
Along with helping you ease pain, crying, may lift your spirits. When you sob, you take in many quick breaths of cool air. Breathing in cooler air can help regulate and even lower the temperature of your brain. As a result, your mood may improve after a sobbing episode.
Grieving is a process. It involves periods of sorrow, numbness, guilt, and anger. Crying is particularly important during periods of grieving. It
Crying doesn’t only happen in response to something sad. Sometimes you may cry when you are extremely happy, scared, or stressed.
***Crying in response to something that makes you happy or sad is normal and healthy. Don’t hold back your tears if you feel the need to release. Excessive crying is something you should chat about with your doctor, however. If crying starts to interfere with your everyday activities, it may be a sign of depression.
