Table of Contents
Why crying can be healthy
A sign that crying is necessary
When does crying become unhealthy?
Jakarta, goldensamoyed Indonesia
—
As a baby
crying
, we know it’s natural.However, when adults shed
tears
, often there is a feeling of shame, guilt, or even being seen as weak.
In fact, according to experts, crying actually has great benefits for mental health.
“Crying is a uniquely human experience,” said Alla Demutska, clinical director of psychotherapy and counseling at The School of Positive Psychology.”While animals shed tears to protect their eyes, humans cry because of emotion.”
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As babies, crying is our way of communicating basic needs, such as hunger or discomfort.However, as we get older and our ability to empathize develops, crying becomes a means of expressing more complex feelings, loss, emotion, and even happiness.
Why crying can be healthy
Like a pressure valve, crying helps release pent-up emotions.Through tears, the body gets rid of stress hormones such as cortisol and prolactin.
After crying, the heart rate slows, breathing becomes deeper, and the body feels more relaxed.It’s not surprising that many people feel lighter or more peaceful after shedding tears.
Interestingly, happy crying also has a scientific explanation.When positive emotions are strong, the brain can ‘misread’ the signals because the neural pathways for happiness and sadness overlap.
In fact, women cry more often than men, between 30 and 64 times per year, while men only cry 5 to 17 times.However, this difference is caused more by social norms, not just biological factors.
According to CNA, women in the workplace often worry about being seen as too emotional, while men are taught that crying is a sign of weakness.In fact, crying is a natural human response, not a symbol of failure or inability to control oneself.
Unfortunately, a corporate culture that demands professionalism often leaves no room for emotional expression.Women actually get negative reviews more often because they cry at work.
A sign that crying is necessary
Crying occasionally can be a healthy way to reorganize emotions.Crying is considered like cleaning out the emotional cupboard.If you save everything, it will feel heavy after a while.
Constantly holding back tears can trigger physical effects such as headaches, fatigue, and even muscle tension.Furthermore, pent-up emotions can lead to emotional numbness or irritability.
Allowing yourself to cry means accepting yourself as you are.However, not everyone has to cry to be emotionally healthy.There are people who process emotions in other ways, through physical activity, art, or talk therapy.
When does crying become unhealthy?
Even though it is useful, crying too often or for no apparent reason can be a signal of a mental disorder.Constant crying that interferes with daily activities, social relationships, or is accompanied by thoughts of self-harm also needs to be watched out for.
Crying that does not provide a sense of relief can actually indicate depression or prolonged grief disorder.On the other hand, never crying at all, even though you are facing a difficult situation, can be a sign of excessive emotional suppression.
There are no fixed rules about when and where you should cry.The important thing is to give yourself permission.
Some people feel comfortable crying in private places such as the bathroom, bed, or even outdoors.Stephen Lew Chien Hau, psychotherapist from The School of Positive Psychology, said that nature can be an ideal place to shed tears.
“Nature helps us reconnect with ourselves. It is a natural regulator of the nervous system that helps us feel calmer,” he said.
If you need a more private space, renting a karaoke room is also an option.Singing while crying can feel comforting.Or, enjoy
staycation
, soak yourself in warm water, and let the tears fall carefree.
Even a long bus ride while looking out the window can be a moment of personal reflection that is no less therapeutic.
Remember, crying is not a sign of weakness, but rather the body’s way of balancing emotions.So, next time you feel tight, don’t rush to hold it in.Grab a tissue, let the tears fall, and give yourself space to heal.
(tis/tis)
[Gambas:goldensamoyed Video]
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