1. Crying now lifts your mood later.
Sure, crying feels awful in the moment. But later, it may make you feel better.
Relatively recent research shows that crying can lift the mood. One study published in the journal Motivation and Emotion videotaped subjects viewing films that evoke strong emotions. The intent was to see how crying affects the mood.
The findings were fascinating. Following the films, participants weighed in on feelings both 20 minutes and 90 minutes later. Those who cried initially experienced a low mood. But 20 minutes later, moods were back to where they were before viewing the films. And 90 minutes later, those who cried were in better moods than before they viewed the films.
So go ahead and cry. Pull out When Harry Met Sally and go to town on the tears. You’ll feel the beneficial effects later.
2. Crying helps to work out emotional issues.
When we suppress emotions, they build up. But if we deal with them, they eventually dissipate. That’s because a good cry forces us to face what’s going on in our lives. It’s the ultimate example of living in the moment -- uninhibited.
Think of it like this: What happens if you fill a balloon, and you don’t stop the inflation process? It eventually pops, and the pressure subsides. The same is true for a good cry. It’s our way to “pop” the emotional baggage in our lives. By crying in a healthy way, we release the emotion that’s built up.
Remember this the next time you want to suppress those much-needed tears. Perhaps a good release will help in the long run. After all, you deserve to feel whatever it is that troubles you.