SURPRISING HEALTH BENEFITS OF CRYING
There is still a lot of stigma out there about crying. Many people feel embarrassment or guilt about it.
This may be especially true for some men still.
However, I do personally know plenty of women who feel embarrassed about it and even apologize for crying when in the presence of others.
Let's PLEASE get rid of this notion altogether!
You see, crying is
a perfectly natural and even necessary act for your health and well-being.
In fact, recent research has found that crying is a
very powerful way to activate your parasympathetic nervous system.
Your parasympathetic nervous systems shuts off the" fight or flight" cortisol-producing sympathetic nervous system...
...And most people need
far more parasympathetic nervous system activation today because so many feel "trapped" in an excesive state of stress (and, as you know, this excess stress is a leading contributor of many diseases).
Furthermore, research also found that
tears contain actual stress hormones, which means you are literally crying stress out of your body!
With these biological facts in mind, studies have found that crying is outstanding for
easing both physical and emotional pain you may be experiencing.
In short -- and rather ironically --
crying can make you feel significantly happier afterwards.
Research has even shown that crying may help you
sleep better!
CRYING CLUBS.... OR AT LEAST LETTING YOUR TEARS FLOW
In Japan, they understand and embrace the incredible health benefits of crying so much that they have crying clubs called "rui-katsu."
People gather in the crying clubs to intentionally let the tears flow together, which they rightfully claim is outstanding for mental health.
While crying clubs may or may not catch on here, please
never be embarrassed to have a good cry -- and encourage those around you to do the same.
This is especially true if you suffer any sort of physical or emotional pain.
And just like making the intentional choice to get plenty of smiles and laughter in your life, it’s a-ok and in fact highly recommended to do the same with crying!
Perhaps that means having deep conversations with friends and loved ones... recalling and sharing your own memories... or reading tearjerker books and watching tearjerker movies.
On that last note, here are several great and recently made tearjerker movie recommendations for you:
Our Souls at Night, starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda;
A Man Called Otto starting Tom Hanks;
Lion, based on a true story and starring Dev Patel;
Marriage Story starring Adam Driver and Laura Dern; and going back a bit farther, to 2002,
A Walk to Remember starring Mandy Moore.
Finally,
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you check out & join this unique and free forthcoing HACKING HAPPINESS online event!