Crying is good for you.

I don't know if it is because I am getting older or what, but I seem to cry easier than I used to. I have always had a tender heart, but sometimes I wonder if I am losing it when I cry with anyone or about almost anything? I have a great imagination I guess. I can imagine how they feel or how bad they hurt and I can cry for or with them.

When we sold our RECNAC (cancer spelled backwards) gifts at the hospital, our biggest seller was our tissue holders, maybe because everyone needs to cry some times, why not have a cute and bright tissue holder to have in your purse or pocket. I think one of the reasons that I love the tissue holder the best is, because of the inspirational quote it has on it. It says... "PERHAPS OUR EYES NEED TO BE WASHED BY OUR TEARS ONCE IN A WHILE, SO THAT WE CAN SEE LIFE WITH A CLEARER VIEW AGAIN."   ~ Alex Tan

I found this article on crying and tears and I have to admit I am happy to hear that crying is actually good for you, maybe there is hope for me yet!

7 Healthy Reasons to Cry Your Eyes Out

By Therese Borchard

In his intriguing article, "The Miracle of Tears" (answersingenesis.com), in which I found some of the research for this gallery, author Jerry Bergman writes: "Tears are just one of many miracles which work so well that we taken them for granted every day."

Here, then, are seven ways tears and the phenomenon we call "crying" heal us physiologically, psychologically, and spiritually.

Tears Help Us See

The most basic function of tears is that they enable us to see. Literally. Tears not only lubricate our eyeballs and eyelids, they also prevent dehydration of our various mucous membranes. No lubrication, no eyesight.

Tears Kill Bacteria

No need for Clorox wipes. We’ve got tears! Our own antibacterial and antiviral agent working for us, fighting off all the germs we pick up.

Tears contain lysozyme, a fluid that the germ-a-phobe dreams about in her sleep, because it can kill 90 to 95 percent of all bacteria in just 5-10 minutes!

Tears Remove Toxins

Biochemist William Frey, who has been researching, found in one study that emotional tears —those formed in distress or grief—contained more toxic byproducts than tears of irritation (think onion peeling). Are tears toxic then? 

No! They actually remove toxins from our body that build up courtesy of stress. They are like a natural therapy.

Crying Can Elevate Mood

Do you know what your manganese level is? Neither do I. But chances are that you will feel better if it’s lower because overexposure to manganese can cause bad stuff. The act of crying can actually lower a person’s manganese level. And just like with the toxins I mentioned in my last point, emotional tears contain 24 percent higher albumin protein concentration--responsible for transporting small (toxic) molecules--than irritation tears.

Crying Lowers Stress

Tears really are like perspiration, in that exercising and crying both relieve stress. In his article, Bergman explains that tears remove some of the chemicals built up in the body from stress, like the endorphins leucine-enkaphalin and prolactin. The opposite is true too. Bergman writes, "Suppressing tears increases stress levels, and contributes to diseases aggravated by stress, such as high blood pressure, heart problems, and peptic ulcers.

Tears Build Community

In her "Science Digest" article, writer Ashley Montagu argued that crying not only contributes to good health, but it also builds community. I know what you’re thinking: "Well, yeah, but not the right kind of community. I mean, I might ask the woman bawling her eyes out behind me in church what’s wrong or if I can help her, but I’m certainly not going to invite her to dinner."

I beg to differ. As a prolific crier, I always come away astounded by the resounding support of people I know, and the level of intimacy exchanged among them. Tears help communication and foster community.

Tears Release Feelings

Even if you haven’t just been through something traumatic or are severely depressed, the average Joe goes through his day accumulating little conflicts and resentments. Sometimes they gather inside the limbic system of the brain and in certain corners of the heart. Crying is cathartic. It lets the devils out before they wreak all kind of havoc with the nervous and cardiovascular systems. As John Bradshaw writes in his bestseller "Home Coming," "All these feelings need to be felt. We need to stomp and storm; to sob and cry; to perspire and tremble."

 

Isn't that interesting? So maybe being a cry baby...isn't such a bad thing after all. I will say that for sure, I realize the fact that tears build community. So many of you have been with me through this whole cancer battle and you have seen, heard and felt many of my tears. In turn you have supported and comforted me and I am forever grateful for that. Thank you for always being there. Good night and call me if you need any tissues! :)