Go Ahead and Cry

August 8th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

You know that relaxed feeling you have after you’ve allowed yourself a really good cry? If you’re a woman, you know exactly what I’m talking about, and if you’re a man here’s a great reason to leave your toolbelt at the door, wrap your arms around the woman in your life and to simply let her sob on your shoulder.

Women are prone to crying nearly four times that of men? Research indicates that prolactin is the culprit. Prolactin, a stress hormone released through tears, is found to be residing in women’s bodies at a higher concentration and also found to be involved in the synthesis of breast milk.

According to Nomi Kaim in the article, Tearful Serenity: Crying Away the Stress, “emotional tears” in both genders contain 25% more proteins than those tears we secrete on a regular basis that are blinked away or tears from an irritant in the eye. These proteins are actually the prolactin hormones that have been built up to high levels due to stress. So, just as sweat is a secretion of stress due to an adrenaline surge, so are the “emotional tears” a healthy release of toxic stress levels.

So go ahead and cry (but not in front of your boss). If you can’t sweat out the stress with a really good workout today, a good cry just may be what the doctor ordered.

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Comment by Memarie Lane on 8 August 2008:

I think I missed the crying gene. There have been many times that I’ve tried to make myself cry, knowing that doing so would help me feel better, but the most I can do is wring out a tear or two.

Memarie Lanes last blog post..Donuts and Death
Comment by Wendy on 8 August 2008:

Since I’ve been an adult, I’ve always tried not to cry. It makes me feel weak. But that could be the reason I’m always so stressed. That or the sleep deprivation. Maybe I’ll try to let it out a little more often. How’s your stress levels these days?

Wendys last blog post..Cats, Glasses, and Potato Salad
Comment by Sammanthia on 8 August 2008:

I don’t mind crying, but only if it’s cry worthy. I won’t cry if I get a run in my pantyhose (I know a girl like that, it’s annoying) but I read an article about a little girl who was neglected beyond any scope of the imagination and I bawled my eyes out.

Sammanthias last blog post..Askimet=Asshat
Comment by gary on 8 August 2008:

Oh.
But what if I am having fun and in a good mood?

garys last blog post..the little dog laughed!
Comment by Doug on 8 August 2008:

I’ve never been a big cryer and it’s not because of any ego or posturing. I can feel sad or angry and just not get to the point of shedding tears. The few times I’ve cried in my adult life, it’s more like getting watery eyes. Wonder if some people are more genetically predisposed to produce tears more easily?
Comment by Lisa P on 8 August 2008:

Ooooh, I love to cry privately. Not full out sob fests, because those make look all spotty and swollen, but the short lived trickles over all sorts of things. Happy tears are preferred, but I’m not opposed to wallowing in sad boo-hoos on occasion. Oddly enough, I tend to cry while unloading the dishwasher. Something about that process makes me reflect on moments with my kids. I find myself thinking of songs like “in my daughter’s eyes…” by Martina McBride. I’m not an extremely religious person, but I also find myself thinking of “what if Jesus comes back like that…” by Colin Ray. All of the scenarios he shares of people in need get to my soul.

Lisa Ps last blog post..Lollipop Magic
Comment by Shiela on 8 August 2008:

Not that I was intending to this evening but I did actually have a nice little cry and guess what? I felt a TON better afterwards. *sigh*
Comment by Brandygirl on 8 August 2008:

Since IF hit us, I’ve cried so much that I could have an ocean to my name!!!
Comment by Tricia on 9 August 2008:

For as much as I cry, I shouldn’t have any stress left. I’m the “emotional one” in our family.
Comment by MamaGeek on 10 August 2008:

When I was a kid I’d cry at the drop of a dime. But now, I think I’m just cried out!

MamaGeeks last blog post..You Can’t iTouch This.