Have you ever wondered why you feel relieved and lighter after crying? Science has the answer!
This curiosity about tears began during the emotional whirlwind of my pre-menstrual phase. I stumbled upon a paper that explains the importance of weeping.
Before diving deeper into the subject, let’s first understand the difference between "weep" and "cry." According to Chambers’s Etymological Dictionary (1928), there is a distinction between these two terms. Cry refers to the act of producing a loud, high-pitched sound, typically expressing pain or sorrow. Weep, on the other hand, is the expression of sadness through the shedding of tears. However, weeping can also occur in moments of intense joy, such as feeling deeply moved.
Some people still view crying as a sign of weakness, especially when men express their sadness through tears. However, crying is a normal human response, regardless of gender.
Interestingly, women tend to weep more frequently due to hormonal fluctuations related to the menstrual cycle, which can be divided into three phases: pre-menstrual, menstrual, and ovulation. So, it's no surprise that emotional shifts, like sudden sadness, occur during these phases as our hormones undergo changes.
What’s even more fascinating is the hypothesis that weeping may help eliminate toxins from the body. As Frey et al. (1981) suggested: Emotional crying might play an important role in maintaining homeostasis by releasing waste and harmful substances. Perhaps people feel better after crying because through their tears, they are shedding chemicals accumulated due to emotional stress. Tears, in this way, also serve to keep our mucous membranes moist and help maintain their function.
A study by Cord Benecke (2009) interviewed 120 people in therapy to explore whether those who don’t weep differ from those who do. The findings revealed that individuals who don’t weep tend to withdraw from others and describe their relationships as less connected. They also experience more negative aggressive feelings, like anger, compared to those who weep.
So, back to the original question: Why do we often feel relieved after crying? It’s because weeping is linked to the production of endorphins—neurotransmitters released by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain.
As a natural hormone, endorphins can ease pain, reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance a sense of well-being. When tears flow, the gentle pressure on the cheeks may stimulate the release of endorphins. Light touch, such as gently massaging the skin, makes us feel better because it triggers endorphin production. Even contact with water on the skin during a shower has been suggested as a treatment for depression due to its ability to release endorphins.
This is why weeping, or shedding tears, has been referred to as "self-cuddling." It allows us to stabilize our mood without needing physical contact from others. From this, we can learn that weeping is an important habit for improving emotional regulation.
Reference:
Bellieni, C.V. (2019). Meaning and importance of weeping. Medical Hypotheses, 132, 109303.
