Had a Good Cry Lately?
October 26, 2009 by Joe Gigantino
“What soap is for the body, tears are for the soul.” ~ Jewish Proverb
Since last week’s blog was on the health benefits of laughter, I thought I would give equal time to the healing benefits of crying. Yes the thought of whether or not someone who is as “all guy” as I am should talk about crying did cross my mind, but after researching the subject, I found it has just as strong benefits in the healing process as laughter does.
I’m not just talking about the tears that are released just to keep our eyeballs moistened or the tears from cutting an onion or being too close to smoke. We accept those tears as just our body’s way of doing what it’s supposed to do. I’m talking about the tears that life brings – like tragedy, loss, grief, fear or even loneliness. There are also the tears that come when you are overcome with joy or maybe even after witnessing a spectacular landscape or event. I immediately think of how I felt when I witnessed the birth of each of my three children – those were definitely tears of joy!
We all know that when we eat or drink, our bodies need to eliminate after it uses up what is needed at the time. But have you ever stopped to think about all the painful feelings and thoughts that you take in? Releasing these feelings and thoughts are just as important as releasing what you don’t need from your food or drink, yet many people stifle the urge to cry even when their body is telling them otherwise.
Crying is probably the easiest and fastest way to release emotional pain, but unfortunately it has become socially unacceptable for both men and women to cry in public. We don’t want to feel weak or foolish, and we don’t want to make others uncomfortable in our presence. However, there are now many scientific studies that actually prove that tears caused by “emotional crying” carry toxins not normally found in the tear that is shed from simply moistening the eye.
Biochemist William Frey (Crying: The Mystery of Tears, Winston Press, Texas, 1977) compared the normal moisturizing tear with the tear caused by emotion and found that stressful tears contained ACTH or adrenocorticotrophic hormone. ACTH is a hormone associated with high blood pressure, heart problems, peptic ulcers and other physical conditions closely related to stress.
Frey compared tears induced from sadness with tears c
aused by cutting a raw onion. Frey proposes that the emotionally-based tears contained high levels of cortisol, which is the primary hormone released during stressful situations. And that extra belly fat you may be experiencing that doesn’t go away even when you’re watching your diet and exercising could be a direct effect of excessive stress-related cortisol in your body! Maybe a good cry is in order, as this suggests that we may be literally releasing toxins from our system when we cry, therefore supporting our overall well being.
Although I can say that personally I probably cry more at this stage of my life than I did when I was younger, I’ll have to admit that I find myself stifling back tears ever so often so as not to appear weak. I’m an adult male, after all, and I should know how to handle everything at all times and have the right answers – or at least I’d like to appear that way!
I have a friend who told me that he never saw his father shed a tear. Perhaps his father spent a lifetime hiding pain, sadness or hurt. How unhealthy is that! Certainly there are times when it is appropriate to control our feelings and hold back the tears, just as there are times when “crying your heart out” is equally appropriate. Tears are a way to cope and mend the pain and suffering of life. Tears can make our lives richer, helping us to be in touch with our true feelings. They can draw people together connecting them during a time when perhaps there are no right words.
So the next time you find yourself stifling back the tears, remember the toxins that you are keeping trapped in your body. Just as your body benefits from a good cleansing periodically, so do your emotions. As healing as laughter is, don’t forget to cry! Imagine how great you’ll feel after you do both!
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Joe, great work on fitness! I was wondering if you would be able to write your fitness inspiration story at http://www.GotInspiration.org, so others who read it can get inspired as well! Thanks in advance.
Yes! I would be honored! I have other blog articles on here that would work for your site as well.
Oh, BTW, have you heard of chessboxing? I think it’s very cool!
very interesting… I’ll have to look into it!
Excellent read, very insightful. Makes me look at tears in another light, thank you.
NICE! SO HELPFUL FOR ME! NOW I DONT FEEL SO BAD IF I HAVE TO CRY!!! LOL
I know, you and me both!