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There are numerous reasons we stifle our tears, whether it's to avoid showing vulnerability to a childhood bully or to maintain professionalism during a critical meeting. Many assume crying signifies weakness or projects an unfavorable image in high-pressure scenarios. Yet, allowing yourself to cry in a nurturing and empathetic setting can yield positive outcomes. It not only communicates your need for support to those around you but also triggers the release of endorphins and reduces stress, fostering emotional healing and a sense of relief.
What is the purpose of crying?
The reasons behind crying due to overwhelming emotions or physical distress remain a subject of ongoing research. It is widely believed that crying serves as a social cue to seek empathy and assistance from others. However, from an evolutionary standpoint, studying this phenomenon is challenging, as humans are the sole species that cry. While other animals may whine or vocalize, only humans exhibit the complex combination of tear production, vocal expressions, facial movements, slumped posture, and trembling that define crying.
Humans typically generate three distinct types of tears:
Basal: Continuously produced to maintain overall eye health.
Irritant: Designed to remove harmful substances from the eye.
Emotional: Triggered by intense feelings or physical pain.
The Benefits of Crying for Your Well-Being
As previously noted, the primary scientific explanation for the importance of crying is its ability to evoke empathy and compassion in others, fostering human connection. It serves as a signal to indicate that you (or a baby, or anyone) require assistance, making those who witness your tears more inclined to offer help.
Beyond its social advantages, crying is also thought to offer physiological benefits. Some studies suggest that crying can act as a self-soothing mechanism. It may alleviate pain by releasing opioids and oxytocin. A 2020 study involving a small group demonstrated that crying therapy enhanced emotional and physical well-being in breast cancer survivors. Gina Moffa, a grief therapist and author of Moving on Doesn’t Mean Letting Go: A Modern Guide to Navigating Loss, emphasizes that crying not only draws empathy from others but also helps release stress and bottled-up emotions.
"Crying serves as a therapeutic outlet that releases endorphins and fosters a sense of calm," she explains. "Emotional tears can aid in eliminating toxins from our bodies, moisturize our eyes, and even lower blood pressure while alleviating distress. Additionally, it can socially benefit us by evoking empathy and care from those around us, helping us feel more secure and emotionally balanced."
Although there’s no proof that you must cry on a specific schedule, she advises allowing yourself to cry in a safe environment and manner.
How to Let the Tears Flow
Now that we’ve established the importance of crying, how can you actually do it? For those accustomed to suppressing tears, letting them flow freely might require some effort and practice.
"For individuals who were taught that emotions are unsafe or lacked examples of emotional expression, crying might feel out of reach," Moffa notes. "Some methods I suggest to facilitate emotional release through tears include curating a playlist of deeply personal and moving songs, journaling freely about your feelings, watching a poignant or sad film, [trying] somatic release techniques, or, on a more uplifting note, developing a sincere gratitude practice."
Perhaps you’ve come across the viral TikToks showcasing a somatic release technique designed to trigger crying. Moffa suggests giving it a try, but emphasizes the importance of doing so in a supportive environment where emotional assistance is available.
"I advocate for the safe expression of emotions, whether through natural tears or those prompted by specific techniques. Engaging in somatic release exercises, which have gained popularity on social media, can be a healthy way to process emotions. However, I recommend ensuring you’re in a secure space and have access to support if needed afterward," she explained.
Seven Methods to Help You Cry
If you’re looking for ways to help the tears flow, consider experimenting with one or more of the following strategies.
Create a sad playlist filled with songs that always tug at your heartstrings (you know the ones).
Search TikTok or YouTube for videos guaranteed to make you cry. Explore what resonates with you—whether it’s inspirational, sentimental, sad, or tragic.
Experiment with somatic self-care techniques.
Tune into a sad podcast.
Watch a movie known to be a tearjerker.
Write in a journal about your personal experiences of sadness and grief.
Try a yoga pose that helps release sadness. (The Pigeon pose is often associated with triggering tears.)
