Is it okay to cry? Many of us instinctively know there’s something cathartic about a good cry. Experts agree there are psychological benefits, especially when alone, it really forces you to think about whatever you’re crying about and to process it, and that can make you feel better.
I cry easily. A good commercial, watching a movie, reading a book, I will respond in emotional tears. I cry when I leave my daughter and won’t see her for months, and that is truly a great release.
Rutgers University psychologist Michael Lewis says that crying helps with emotional regulation in children and adults, and that expressing emotions through tears can reduce psychological stress. When strong feelings—positive or negative—flood the body, it creates stress, and crying is like a pressure relief valve. Research shows that right before you start crying, the nervous system’s fight or flight response peaks, and once the tears start flowing, your nervous system’s relaxation response can start to kick in.
Furthermore, crying communicates vulnerability, which can strengthen social bonds and reduce feelings of isolation, according to social psychologist Mark R. Leary.
So, go on, feel free to cry out! Just keep the tissues handy. And ignore the odd looks from passersby on the street.
