Why Do We Cry?

Crying is a natural human response to a variety of emotions. The idea that crying’s main function is the lubrication of the eyes has persisted for centuries. However, it has also been shown that crying can ease emotional and physical pain by releasing oxytocin and endorphins. 

Sometimes we cry because we are upset, sometimes we cry because we are happy. The reasons of why we cry when we are emotional have yet to be determined, but what we have figured out is that the chemical composition of tears excreted from our eyes when chopping onions and when crying emotionally are different from one another. 

Our bodies produce three types of tears: basal, basal tears are protein-rich and antibacterial, and they form an oily layer over the eyeball to prevent dehydration; reflex, these tears accumulate when a speck of dust gets in our eyes or when our eyes are irritated by external particles and needs to flush away the irritant; and emotional/psychogenic, which are shed for emotional reasons. Emotional tears have a higher protein content and have more viscosity in comparison to basal and reflex tears; thus, the tears stick strongly to the face, making it more visible for others to see. These emotional tears also have stress hormones in them. Therefore, when we shed emotional tears we are also shedding away these hormones that cause us distress. 

Tears are a social signal; they prompt compassion from others. They allow us to form interpersonal bonds with our peers by demonstrating vulnerability. Crying in front of others shows that you trust the person enough to cry in front of them, which helps to form emotional connections. 

When we cry, we can reflect on our actions, think for ourselves, and truly understand our emotions. Crying helps us experience our emotions, recognize why we feel them, and consequently, have a deeper understanding of ourselves. 

We should all embrace the habit of crying as it is a beneficial and healthy activity!

Picture Source:mymoodpath.com