Tags
crying, emotions, feelings, health, mental-health, miscellaneous, random, tears, well-being
I stayed in last night, content to tidy away Christmas, put it back into it’s box. As I wrapped, packed and stowed I listened to music and drank a glass of deep red wine. But my flighty mind got distracted by hidden thoughts and forgotten memories and suddenly a silent tear fell.
I had to stop and take a moment to figure out why, without any warning, a wave of sadness had washed over me. As the tear rolled down my cheek a second followed, then a third and in a jingle-bells a steady stream of tears was escaping from my eyes.
Emotions are tricky things and while I tried to figure out what it was that I was actually feeling I discovered a plethora of loneliness, missing my dad, frustration over not achieving my goals, lost hopes and dreams. But as the tears flowed I slowly felt better and I remembered what I knew about tears.
Tears are quite wonderful drops of water as there are three different kinds: reflex, continuous and emotional. Reflex tears are the kind that clears out any little particles that may distract or obscure our view. Continuous ones are produce in an endless stream to lubricate our eyes and even nose.
Now while reflex tears are made up out of 98% of water and continuous ones contain lysozyme, an enzyme that breaks down bacterial cells, an anti-bacterial fluid that protects our eyes and nose from infections, emotional tears actually contains stress hormones.
This means that when ever we are sad,angry, stressed, afraid or any other emotional state that causes tears to well up in our eyes, we are shedding stress hormones and other toxins. In addition to this crying stimulates our endorphin (feel-good hormones) production.
Crying is good for us, tears help us heal and allow our body to get rid of hormones that disrupt our inner equilibrium. Tears heal the heart and body and allow us to bypass depression. So while tears can’t fix a situation they help us calm down, our breathing and hearth-rate slows down when the tears subside, leaving our hearts soothed and more at peace.
A few silent tears shed late at night may have left me red-faced, snot-nosed and a little breathless but hopefully also a little bit more capable to tackle what the future holds. But whatever may happen I wholeheartedly agree with Antonie de Saint-Exupery
It is a secret place the land of tears
More tearful information: Biological Role of Emotional tears (NY Times), The Health Benefits of Tears (Psychology Today),
jensinewall 
Arm and arm we are galloping to the Corner Cafe…for our first cuppa of the day.
My treat…biscuits, too!!
yes … biscuits are great and I even like the salty ones
Much love and I hope you continue to feel better as well as allow yourself the tears necessary. And thank you for sharing the more scientfic aspect of tears – I learned something new 🙂
I know, I am fascinated by tears, who knew such little drops of water could hold so much
The stuff our bodies can do, all on their own – amazing!
How facinating – I never knew that about tears. I have known, though, that when I cry I feel better. Great post – thanks for sharing it!
I know amazing isn’t it, so cry on
I didn’t know about the stress hormones being shed with emotional tears, but I did know about feeling better after crying them. Thanks for a post that shared what many people feel around Christmas time and about the tears. God bless.
ah thanks and yes tears are amazing
So your post makes me want to cry…for a reason I never knew existed
now how good is that … hope you cry yourself happy
Goodness knows, I certainly have felt better after a good cry. Now, thanks to you I know why!
Cheers,
Laura
I’ve had a good cry a few times in the last couple of days & altho it makes my eyes resemble a frog, it does definitely make me feel better 🙂
Tears – drops of healing!
beautiful and moving post… winter does much to allow for such reflection. thank you for sharing!
you are so welcome, glad you enjoyed …hope your new year started with laughter
Good thoughts…As you say tears when they fall unexpectedly sometimes are a sign from our body and soul…that there is something inside that needs an outlet…and we do feel better because of them falling…Diane
yeas and isn’t it quite marvelous that our body does these things without us even really knowing why
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How fascinating! I’m so glad Diana sent me over here this morning. I’ll be back.
— and yes, it is marvelous how incredibly smart our bodies are!
Thanks so much and yes I marvel at what our bodies do … no machine, computer or apparatus is as smart and complex and we don’t even have a socket.
Touching and interesting! Thanks to Diana for directing me to YOU! ♥ paula
thanks so much, and yes am always amazed at the surprises our bodies hold
🙂
Wonderful post, eloquent, moving, helpful and reassuring all at once. Thank you for sharing some of your tears with us, and thanks to Diana for pointing us in your direction.
Thank you so much Bonnie, am glad you enjoyed my little post. And yes Diana is quite wonderful
Actually Ninecentsgirl said what I was thinking – very profound article. I find it hard to cry and have to allow myself time to release what is bottled up inside me. Patty
I so understand Patty, I tend to cry on my own, but have learned over the years that shedding tears with people you love and trust has a unique healing within itself.