ontheedgeofeverything

I’ve found myself feeling rather overwhelmed with a variety of different things going on in my life at present. I won’t go into details, but the situation is far from ideal, and it could be one that continues for an extended period of time.

A couple of days ago, I quite literally completely broke down to my husband. I wasn’t planning on becoming so emotional, but I did acknowledge that the fact I’ve been suppressing some of these emotions for a little while is arguably why they did rear so dramatically.

I wouldn’t say I’m an overly emotional person. I rarely cry due to pain, and the few times I do cry is honestly a result of frustration. I’m one of these people who cries when they’re really bloody pissed, if that makes any sense at all.

When I first felt the tears creeping up when I was with my husband, I did, initially, refuse to let them fall. But, after some contemplation, I said fuck it to myself and let them fly, and I’m glad I did. Holding in emotions for too long isn’t a great practice for anyone, and, believe it or not, there are actual benefits that come from crying. Check out the following information on the matter from medicalnewstoday.com.

“1. Has a soothing effect

Self-soothing is when people:

• regulate their own emotions
• calm themselves
• reduce their own distress

A 2014 study found that crying may have a direct, self-soothing effect on people. The study explained how crying activates the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which helps people relax.

“2. Gets support from others

As well as helping people self-soothe, crying can help people get support from others around them.

As this 2016 study explains, crying is primarily an attachment behavior, as it rallies support from the people around us. This is known as an interpersonal or social benefit.

“3. Helps to relieve pain

Research has found that in addition to being self-soothing, shedding emotional tears releases oxytocin and endorphins.

These chemicals make people feel good and may also ease both physical and emotional pain. In this way, crying can help reduce pain and promote a sense of well-being.

“4. Enhances mood

Crying may help lift people’s spirits and make them feel better. As well as relieving pain, oxytocin and endorphins can help improve mood. This is why they are often known as ‘feel good’ chemicals.

“5. Releases toxins and relieves stress

When humans cry in response to stress, their tears contain a number of stress hormones and other chemicals.

Researchers believe that crying could reduce the levels of these chemicals in the body, which could, in turn, reduce stress. More research is needed into this area, however, to confirm this.

“6. Aids sleep

A small study in 2015 found that crying can help babies sleep better. Whether crying has the same sleep-enhancing effect on adults is yet to be researched.

However, it follows that the calming, mood-enhancing, and pain-relieving effects of crying above may help a person fall asleep more easily.

“7. Fights bacteria

Crying helps to kill bacteria and keep the eyes clean as tears contain a fluid called lysozyme.

A 2011 study found that lysozyme had such powerful antimicrobial properties that it could even help to reduce risks presented by bioterror agents, such as anthrax.

“8. Improves vision

Basal tears, which are released every time a person blinks, help to keep the eyes moist and prevent mucous membranes from drying out.

As the National Eye Institute explains, the lubricating effect of basal tears helps people to see more clearly. When the membranes dry out, vision can become blurry,” the web page explains.

There ya have it, folks. It really is okay to cry.

Photo by Tom Pumford on Unsplash