Whether it’s due to happiness, sadness or other emotions, everyone has cried at some point in their lives. Although it can be stigmatized in society, crying is one of the more therapeutic things people do for themselves. Crying is a natural result of emotion in the same way that laughter is. Rather than stifling it, it’s encouraged that people embrace their crying.
Crying is often viewed as a sign of weakness, but it could also be viewed as a sign of strength. When people cry, it makes them more connected with themselves, giving them a deeper understanding of their feelings. People cry for different reasons, all of which can be beneficial.
Myron Burns, associate professor in the department of psychology and neuroscience, notes how crying can be beneficial for people.
“Crying can cause what we call a ‘cathartic moment,’ where you release pent up emotions that you’ve been holding on to,” said Burns.
When people are sad or stressed, crying can benefit them by providing an outlet for their emotions. By crying, people acknowledge their discomfort through self-expression, which can strengthen their relationship with themselves. Crying allows people to let go for a moment and work towards a solution for their issues. Conversely, refusing to cry can have the opposite effect on people.
“Typically, people who hold it in and refuse to cry, some studies have shown, they’re a little bit more emotionally detached. Crying is a very healthy, normal part of being a human being,” said Burns.
By refusing to cry, people deny themselves of not only connecting with themselves, but of connecting with others. Crying is beneficial because it gives people the opportunity to better communicate their feelings and needs. By acknowledging their own needs through crying, people can better understand the needs of others.
Additionally, crying also helps people connect with others by letting them work through their issues together.
“If you’re around someone supportive, if you’re in a safe space, then crying can have some benefits. If you cry with one supportive person, as well as get insight and resolution, that’s also positive,” said Burns.
Having a supportive person to cry alongside can help people with whatever is troubling them. It gives people the chance to talk, strengthening their relationship. If people cry to a supportive friend who they trust, who makes them happy, it benefits them not only by acknowledging the problem and working towards a solution, but by also simply having someone who will listen.
Lastly, crying is healthy for any emotions, in addition to sadness.
“If you’re crying over something joyous, that’s good, because that helps release endorphins in the brain,” said Burns.
For whatever reason people cry, doing so is beneficial for them. If something becomes too overwhelming for people, it’s better to let those feelings out than to contain them. Relationships require communication and acknowledging when something is wrong, or even right, is necessary, especially in the relationship with yourself.
