Tears, Tissues, and Triumph: Why Crying Might Be the Healthiest Ugly Face You’ll Ever Make

Introduction: It’s Cry Time, Baby

Let’s face it—crying gets a bad rap. It’s been called weak, dramatic, unprofessional... and by toddlers everywhere, a lifestyle. But here’s the truth: crying is one of the most powerful, sophisticated, and surprisingly science-backed forms of emotional hygiene we humans have. It’s like Mother Nature’s built-in pressure valve—except instead of steam, you release your dignity through your eyeballs.

So grab a tissue (or three), and let’s talk about tears: where they come from, why they matter, and why crying just might be your body’s underrated superpower.

The Origins of Tears: More Than Just Leaky Eyeballs

Tears aren’t just water with emotional baggage. There are actually three kinds of tears:

Basal tears: Your eyeballs' daily moisturizer—always working, never complaining.
Reflex tears: Triggered by onions, wind, and existential dread.
Emotional tears: The Oscar winners of the tear world—complex, mysterious, and full of meaning (Vingerhoets, 2013).

Your lacrimal glands, located above each eyeball, are responsible for producing these different types of tears. And yes, they are very good at multitasking.

Why We Cry: Evolution’s Way of Saying “Let It Out”

Crying has evolutionary roots that go way back—possibly as far back as baby dinosaurs (okay, maybe not quite that far). But scientists believe emotional crying evolved to signal distress and elicit care from others (Nelson, 2005). It’s like the body’s natural “I need a hug” ringtone.

Even cooler? Emotional tears contain stress hormones like ACTH and natural painkillers like leucine enkephalin (Frey, 1985). Translation: your tears are literally trying to heal you.

The Health Benefits: Cry It Out Like a Champ

If crying were a gym class, it’d be full-body cardio for your nervous system. Here's what a good cry can do:

Reduces stress by flushing out cortisol (Gračanin et al., 2014)
Improves mood—people often report feeling “lighter” after a sob session
Lowers blood pressure and slows heart rate post-cry (Hendriks et al., 2007)
Boosts immunity by releasing toxins and emotional buildup (Vingerhoets, 2013)

Basically, tears are like emotional kombucha: weird, watery, and surprisingly good for your gut and soul.

The Spiritual Benefits: Cleansing More Than Just the Eyes

Across cultures and belief systems, crying is seen as a sacred act. In the Bible, tears are often associated with prayer, release, and divine connection: “You keep track of my wandering. Do collect my tears in your skin bottle. Are they not recorded in your book?” (Psalm 56:8, New World Translation). Even God’s got a tear jar.

Spiritually, crying can:

Release emotional and spiritual blockages – The tears that flow can help clear the emotional weight that weighs down your heart, creating space for deeper peace and a stronger sense of connection to what brings you calm and clarity.

Deepen self-awareness (reveal what’s hidden) – Sometimes, what you’re holding inside is clouding your vision. Crying helps you process those buried feelings, bringing insight and allowing you to see yourself with more understanding and compassion.

Activate compassion—for yourself and others—by softening your heart and embracing empathy. As you release your own emotions, crying can foster a sense of empathy, helping you connect more deeply with others and their experiences.

Draw you closer to your Creator and His guidance—In surrendering your emotions, you create space for peace, healing, and clarity. It’s an opportunity to realign, reflect, and find strength in the quiet moments of connection.

Some even say tears are prayers when words fall short—God hears every single one, even the messy ones that come with snot and hiccups.

Crying in Daily Life: How to Use It Without Scaring the Neighbors

Like salt, crying is best used in moderation—but don’t be afraid to season liberally when needed. Here’s how to cry well:

Schedule a cry sesh like it’s self-care (because it is).
Pair it with journaling, music, or prayer.
Use it to process, not wallow.
Be safe, not performative—cry for yourself, not social media.
Honor it like a sacred act, not a breakdown.

Need a cry buddy? Your dog. Always your dog.

What Crying Solves (Besides Making You Look Puffy and Mysterious)

Tears have surprisingly practical applications:

Breaks emotional gridlock
Improves communication in relationships
Softens pride and opens vulnerability
Releases stored trauma and grief
Alleviates anxiety and burnout
Creates space for clarity and spiritual insight

Basically, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, spiritually crusty, or one spilled coffee away from snapping—crying is nature’s reset button.

Final Thoughts: Tears Are Holy Water

Crying is not weakness—it’s emotional detox with a built-in skincare boost. Whether you’re grieving, healing, overwhelmed, or just watching a sad commercial involving a golden retriever, your tears are a sign that you’re alive, connected, and still feeling. And that, friend, is something to celebrate—not suppress.

So go ahead: cry pretty, cry ugly, cry quietly, cry loudly. But whatever you do—let it flow. Your health, your spirit, and your sanity will thank you.

Disclaimer

This article and other content on this site are for educational and informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition. Statements made on this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any wellness decisions. Please read our Disclaimer for full details.

Bibliography

Frey, W. H. (1985). Crying: The Mystery of Tears. Winston Press.

Gračanin, A., Bylsma, L. M., & Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M. (2014). Is crying a self-soothing behavior? Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 502. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00502

Hendriks, M. C. P., Rottenberg, J., & Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M. (2007). Can the distress-signal and arousal-reduction views of crying be reconciled? Emotion, 7(3), 458–466. https://doi.org/10.1037/1528-3542.7.3.458

Nelson, J. K. (2005). Seeing Through Tears: Crying and Attachment. Routledge.

Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M. (2013). Why Only Humans Weep: Unravelling the Mysteries of Tears. Oxford University Press.

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2013). New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.