Why Crying Is Good: 8 Surprising Secrets Unveiled

According to scientists, humans are the only species that cries. Other animals may produce tears, but we’re the only ones who cry as a result of our emotions or from physical, emotional, or mental pain.  We can cry “happy tears”, sentimental tears, or sad tears.  We may tear up because of a happy memory, or as a result of tragic news.  Sometimes, we cry when we get good news – or when we’re laughing. There’s a world of interesting information about crying: why we do it, when we do it, the evolutionary reasons it became a human behavior – and more. So, let’s get into all of it.

Why We Cry and Why It’s Good for Us

We first cry as babies.

As far as we know, those cries are primarily intended to ensure things like hunger, thirst and pain are addressed. Babies and young children may also cry when they are frightened, embarrassed, or need reassurance.  As we grow older, the occasions when we cry, and the reasons why continue to expand.

I believe that tears often signify that we need comfort.

One article I read said that biologists refer to crying as an “honest signal”. This means it is harder to fake than other expressions of emotion. For example, it is easier to fake a smile.

Crying also lasts longer than fleeting facial expressions, so it’s easier for others to detect.  Also, afterward, there’ usually evidence that it happened – for example, a tear-streaked face or red-rimmed, puffy eyes.  It’s harder to miss these signs of upset than a fleeting grimace or frown.

Does Crying Help Us Cope?

There are mixed opinions about whether shedding tears helps us cope.

There’s one school of thought that says that crying in and of itself is NOT helpful to us – that it’s other’s reactions that help us to feel better.  What truly comforts us is the support that arises from others who see our distress.

For this reason, scientists believe that the ability to cry created an evolutionary benefit.  Others around us could tell when we needed help or support to feel better. Or if we were experiencing physical pain or suffering.

As a result, those who cried were more likely to survive.

And so, humans continue to be able to do it.

What Does Crying Cause? 

It’s difficult to determine what results from our tears vs. what results from others who attempt to comfort us when we shed them.  For example, if someone hugs us, this contributes to our overall well-being.  So, was it the tears that helped or the hug that came afterward?

There have been some studies that show we tend to feel WORSE after a bout of crying; and still others that show that while we initially feel worse, in the long run, we feel better – and tend to associate our ultimate healing with the tears.

This makes us believe that our tears were beneficial to us, reinforcing our tendency to do it when things get tough.

Does Crying Help Us Release Negative Emotions?

This theory tends to credit the actual act of crying with the release of negative emotions, in a form of catharsis.  And it’s not new. As much as two thousand years ago, Hippocrates believed that shedding tears released toxins from the brain. And Aristotle believed that it was essential to cry to cleanse the mind. But even all these years later, whether or not they were right remains to be seen.

Compassionate Tears

Compassionate tears are also a thing.

There are those among us who more readily shed tears of compassion.  That is, we see another suffering, and we tend to tear up as a result of our empathy for them.

There are people who claim that they have lost the ability to cry.

Interestingly, the tears we shed due to emotional reactions are different from the tears we shed as a result of eye irritation, or our everyday tears that keep our eyes moist. The body is doing something completely different when our tears are brought on by feelings.  As a result, some believe the body is actually helping us “cry something out.”

Some other interesting facts about crying:

1. Nine of 10 people believe crying makes them feel better, and that it reduces stress.
2. Women cry an average of 47 times a year; men cry an average of 7 times a year.
3. Emotional tears have higher levels of manganese and potassium and prolactin. Manganese is required for blood clotting and lowers cholesterol; potassium helps our nerve function and muscle control; prolactin helps our immune function.
4. Emotional tears also contain an endorphin and natural pain killer.
5. 20% of crying episodes last longer than a half-hour.
6. 77% of crying takes place at home.
7. 40% of people weep alone.
8. 39% of crying occurs at night.

How Often Do You Cry?

So, when was the last time you “had a good cry”?

Does crying make you feel better or worse? Isn’t it amazing that humans are the only species that cries “emotional tears”? How incredible our bodies are.

Please share a comment and let us all know what you think and thank you as always for reading.

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KindCompassCoach

Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a health care executive and 15 years (and counting) as a consultant. The common thread through Joan’s professional life has been a commitment to lead, mentor and coach current and future leaders, and women from all walks of life. KindCompassCoach provides information and advice grounded in Joan’s personal experience; however, all articles are backed by research and provide facts and advice from a wide variety of experts. Joan also serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.