We all have tears—three different types to be exact. Basal tears lubricate our eyes, reflex tears occur while chopping onions or after we receive a hit to the eye and emotional tears are caused by something psychological.
Dr. William Frey, a biochemist, conducted a study on crying. He compared the tears of women crying for emotional reasons (emotional tears) to the tears of women crying over cut onions (reflex tears). The results showed that the emotional tears contained high levels of the hormones and neurotransmitters associated with stress. The participants crying emotional tears also showed lowered blood pressure, pulse rate and more synchronized brain-wave patterns.
Dr. Frey believes emotional crying is a process the body uses to rid itself of accumulated stress hormones. It makes us feel good because it releases unhealthy toxins from our body. If these toxins are not released, if we hold in our tears, we can keep our bodies in a state of “tension,” which can lead to a weakened immune system, impaired memory, indigestion and possibly anxiety.
The next time you feel the need to cry, go ahead. Weep away. You’ll find yourself feeling better for it.
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