Whether it is due to hunger, a broken toe, heartbreak or chopped onions, our eyes will often find ways of shedding tears. Crying has often been attributed to psychological aspects. Here are some interesting facts about tears and why crying has physiological benefits for our bodies.
Tears come in three main types
- Basal Tears
- Reflex Tears
- Emotional Tears
Basal Tears are often the tears that lie in the frontmost part of our eyes. They are in our eyes at all times. Basal tears are essential in lubricating and nourishing our cornea. They also help in locking out dirt and chaff.
Reflex Tears are formed when unwanted or irritating substances such as smoke and onion fumes get into the eyes. This reaction aims at washing away those substances. Reflex tears contain antibodies that protect your eyes from unwanted substances. Hence, they are produced in larger amounts than basal tears.
Emotional Tears are the most commonly known type of tears. Albeit, as the name states, emotional tears are produced in reaction to all the different emotions human beings experience. These emotions could include physical pain, physical and emotional distress, joy and being overwhelmed. Unlike the rest, however, this type of tears trigger the release of additional hormones and proteins.
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Why You Should Cry More Often
As stated earlier, tears play a huge role in cleaning and sustaining the well-being of our eyes. Tears serve so many purposes hence why our bodies produce 15-30 gallons of tears a year. Evidently, that is a lot of tears to put to waste by not letting out half, if not almost all of it.
Crying is an act that releases tension and pressure. It is a form of expression and communication that should not be downgraded. Some people often find themselves crying in moments of joy and happiness. This occurs as a result of one being overcome with intense emotions. Emotional tears produce feel-good chemicals known as oxytocin and endorphins. These hormones are responsible for elevating our moods. It is probably for the same reason why one may feel better after having a good cry. Nevertheless, crying for whatever reason has scientifically been proven to be a healing and therapeutic act.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive research study found out that tears can be used to build social connections. The case study argues that people who cry or tear up easily are often viewed as sympathetic, kind and affectionate. It also goes further to propose that people who cry often build stronger social and emotional connections with those they come into contact with.
That being said, holding back one’s tears may end up doing more harm than good. Resisting the urge to cry after being irritated by onion fumes could result in one locking in the sulfuric acid secreted by the onions. On the same note, prolonged holding of tears could lead to reduced production of tears. Although we naturally make fewer tears as we grow up, having an insufficient amount of tears in the eye leads to dry eyes. Consequently, when the eyes dry up it leaves one prone to blepharitis a leading factor of swelling and irritation of the eyelids.
In brief, crying has without doubt proven to be a healthy practice. Overcoming the stereotypes around it and being free to express and heal ourselves through tears is a step in the right direction. It is equally important to do this in reasonable proportions. Crying too much or not being able to cry at all is a sign of mental health challenges and it is advisable to seek professional guidance on the issue.
