Let It Out: Why Crying is Actually Good for You
12/23/2024
I was blessed to receive a tear jar, a beautiful gift with deep meaning. These small jars, known as “lachrymatory” jars, traditionally symbolize the tears shed in grief at a funeral, reflecting the profound love and sorrow for a lost loved one. Yet, they also serve as a heartfelt reminder of shared tears—of love, joy, sympathy, and remembrance—that connect us in the most meaningful moments of life.
Looking at the tiny tear jar my friend and I had just been given, she said something that stuck with me: “It’s so important to cry.” Then, she shared a story that left a lasting impression on me.
She told me about a day when she was 27 years old. Her stepmother had called, sounding concerned, and asked her to come over right away. “Your dad needs you,” she’d said. When my friend arrived, she found her father in tears—completely overwhelmed and sobbing. It was a side of him she had never seen before. He looked at her through his tears and said, “I need to cry.”
It turned out that when her mother passed away—when my friend was just 11 months old—her father had made a promise. In her final moments, his wife had told him to “be brave” and not cry, so he didn’t. For nearly 27 years, he kept that grief locked away. He carried it silently, thinking that was what strength looked like. But that day, the tears finally came.
Hearing my friend tell this story, I felt the weight of all those years her father held onto his pain. And I realized how much courage it takes not just to be strong, but to allow yourself to let go.
Shedding tears is often viewed as a sign of weakness, but it offers a range of powerful benefits for both the body and mind. Emotional tears release oxytocin and endorphins, chemicals that not only help ease physical and emotional pain but also promote a sense of well-being. Crying can have calming, mood-enhancing, and pain-relieving effects, which may even help a person fall asleep more easily. Additionally, tears can lubricate the eyes and help people see more clearly both physically and metaphorically.
The benefits of crying really depend on the situation. Some people feel better letting their tears flow in private, while others find comfort in sharing their emotions with someone who cares. How you were raised can also make a difference—if you grew up in a family that encouraged showing feelings, crying might feel more natural. But if you were taught to hold everything in, it might not bring the same relief. Where and why you cry also matters. Breaking down at work after a tough day probably won’t feel as good as crying through a loss or something deeply emotional. The truth is, not every cry will make you feel better, and that’s okay. What’s important is knowing that crying is a normal, human way to handle feelings—and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Resources:
Burgess, Lana (2023)Eight benefits of crying: Why it’s good to shed a few tears https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319631
Cleveland Clinic (2022) Why You May Feel Better After Crying https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-crying
12/23/2024
I was blessed to receive a tear jar, a beautiful gift with deep meaning. These small jars, known as “lachrymatory” jars, traditionally symbolize the tears shed in grief at a funeral, reflecting the profound love and sorrow for a lost loved one. Yet, they also serve as a heartfelt reminder of shared tears—of love, joy, sympathy, and remembrance—that connect us in the most meaningful moments of life.
Looking at the tiny tear jar my friend and I had just been given, she said something that stuck with me: “It’s so important to cry.” Then, she shared a story that left a lasting impression on me.
She told me about a day when she was 27 years old. Her stepmother had called, sounding concerned, and asked her to come over right away. “Your dad needs you,” she’d said. When my friend arrived, she found her father in tears—completely overwhelmed and sobbing. It was a side of him she had never seen before. He looked at her through his tears and said, “I need to cry.”
It turned out that when her mother passed away—when my friend was just 11 months old—her father had made a promise. In her final moments, his wife had told him to “be brave” and not cry, so he didn’t. For nearly 27 years, he kept that grief locked away. He carried it silently, thinking that was what strength looked like. But that day, the tears finally came.
Hearing my friend tell this story, I felt the weight of all those years her father held onto his pain. And I realized how much courage it takes not just to be strong, but to allow yourself to let go.
Shedding tears is often viewed as a sign of weakness, but it offers a range of powerful benefits for both the body and mind. Emotional tears release oxytocin and endorphins, chemicals that not only help ease physical and emotional pain but also promote a sense of well-being. Crying can have calming, mood-enhancing, and pain-relieving effects, which may even help a person fall asleep more easily. Additionally, tears can lubricate the eyes and help people see more clearly both physically and metaphorically.
The benefits of crying really depend on the situation. Some people feel better letting their tears flow in private, while others find comfort in sharing their emotions with someone who cares. How you were raised can also make a difference—if you grew up in a family that encouraged showing feelings, crying might feel more natural. But if you were taught to hold everything in, it might not bring the same relief. Where and why you cry also matters. Breaking down at work after a tough day probably won’t feel as good as crying through a loss or something deeply emotional. The truth is, not every cry will make you feel better, and that’s okay. What’s important is knowing that crying is a normal, human way to handle feelings—and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Resources:
Burgess, Lana (2023)Eight benefits of crying: Why it’s good to shed a few tears https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319631
Cleveland Clinic (2022) Why You May Feel Better After Crying https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-crying