This archive report was first published on 14 October 2019.
Published on October 14, 2019, a KBC article highlighted the importance of crying as a natural response to emotions.
The act of crying is often seen as a sign of weakness, but it's actually a sign of strength. ¶
Human beings cry as a natural response to emotions such as happiness, sadness, fear, and frustration. We produce three types of tears: basal/continuous, emotional, and reflex tears.
- Basal tears are ever-present and rich in protein, keeping our eyes moist during blinking.
- Emotional tears contain a higher level of stress hormones and are a response to a range of emotions.
- Reflex tears are triggered by irritants such as wind, smoke, and dust.
Suppressing the urge to cry can have negative consequences, but having a good sob can be beneficial in several ways.
- It's soothing: crying can help regulate emotions and soothe physical pain by producing oxytocin, the feel-good hormone.
- Helps with detoxification: tears contain stress hormones and chemicals, and releasing them can aid in detoxification.
- Aids with sleeping: crying can have the same effect on adults as it does on babies, helping them fall asleep.
- It's a great way to signal for support: when someone cries, it's a natural instinct to reach out and offer support.
- Helps clean the eyes: basal tears wash out bacteria, protecting the eyes and preventing infections and eyesight problems.
Interestingly, the Japanese have taken the benefits of crying to heart, establishing crying clubs where people can openly express their emotions.
So, the next time you feel the urge to cry, don't hold back – it's normal and healthy.
