#854 Crying

Neil Pasricha

Go let it out

Pop quiz, hotshot.

A 2006 study in Scientific American Mind magazine said that on average men cry X times a month and woman cry Y times a month. Take a guess on the numbers and see how close you are (answers below).

Now, whether you’re above or below average, consider crying a little bit more. When you feel the hot, salty tears coming, don’t hold back. Let them flood your eyes and pour down your cheeks, because while our egghead pals over at Wikipedia insist there are no conclusive studies showing why people cry, there really are a lot of reasons why crying is great. Hear me out:

• Share the tears. Crying brings us closer together. In these anonymous days of gated communities, big-box stores, and rampant Interneting, sometimes people just need the attention and care of a friend. I mean, when you see your pal crying, what happens? Maybe your eyes well up and you throw them a hug. And maybe that’s exactly what they need and why the tears poured out in the first place.

Let it go

• Body buzz. Studies show that emotional crying (versus dry-eyes crying, onion crying, or eyelash-in-your-eye crying) actually releases a bunch of wacky hormones that relieve tension by balancing your body’s stress levels. If you’ve ever heard people say ‘I’m okay, I had a good cry,’ then it could be because crying helps straighten out your chemically crooked self right when you need it most. And let’s face it — that’s a lot better than holding it all in and shorting out all your inner circuitry. Listen to the baby

• Hey, I just crapped my diaper. Babies cry before they talk, to let us all know when they’re tired, frustrated, scared, in pain, or when they really, really, really want their video back on. The point is that crying is a primal, universal way to communicate and sure does tell us when something’s up. Way to program that into us, God and/or evolution.

Yes, even though men only cry once a month on average and women let them pour five times or more, there’s room for tears plus, people. So don’t hold back because you think it’s embarassing or a sign of weakness, no. When memories of lost loved ones flood back or painful experiences hit you hard, I say just let those big, wet tears rain down without any guilt or shame.

Because we all need to let go sometimes.

AWESOME!

Blame it on the rainPhotos from: here, here, here, and here

22 thoughts to “#854 Crying”

  1. I usually feel better after I cry, unless it’s one of those full-body cries that leave me tired with a pounding headache.

    P.S. Another awesome? Quotes from fun, wildcat flicks like Speed!

  2. Yes, crying is weirdly awesome, so long as it’s not a devastating cry.

    An awesome cry is when you’re home alone and able to let the tears pour after a depressng movie or TV show or book.

    I still cry at the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince…

      1. Must See: “Riding in cars with boys.”
        “Reign over me”
        “Up town girls”
        “Love Actually”
        “Dragonfly”…
        I think it’s better to keep things in balance at home so as not to burst in public…unless in Italy where emotions are so much more embraced!

        1. I think I’ve seen all those, but its been a while. I thought there for a while that all my tears were drained out since I hadn’t cried in a long time.

      2. I recently watched Ned Kelly starring Heath Ledger. Mum walked into the room just at the final scene, and I’m sitting there blubbering, “DON’T LOOK AT ME!”

  4. YAY!! I can comment now!!

    I had a good cry the other day. It was a while since I’ve had one. Sometimes you just need to cry.
    I also kinda like the sound of a baby crying. I wouldn’t by any means make the baby cry on purpose, but I’m not bothered by the crying. I’m more like, “AWWW”

  5. I learned from a traditional chinese doctor that kidney stones are frozen tears. Trust me, you don’t want those! Although I’ve had countless and know this now, I don’t allow myself to cry enough. I’m afraid it hurts.
    This is the year my baby brother died- I could’ve cried but wasn’t allowed to and was hospitalized with asthma.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls2lC7DQFMI

    This is the year I visited loss with “Unattended sorrow”, an incredible book by Stephen Levine and this song was released. It helped me start to breathe again by releasing some crying:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9svxE49Ng

    This helps me to understand:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SqFPNTBnv8

    And this to carry on:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDdI7GhZSQA

    *Just for today, cry a little, sigh, just breathe, know the time is now, live ~ Be

    1. Everytime I hear “Hey Jude” I think of middle school when I was in the band and played the flute. This was my music teachers favorite song for us to play.

  7. I haven’t cried in a very long time. But I do remember feeling a lot better the last time I did. Crying and laughing are two things I need to more of. I smile a lot, but I don’t laugh much. Laughing and crying are supposed to be good for your health.

    1. You better start laughing Max. I’ll send someone to tickle you if you don’t. Crying is a must also. Its a great release. Maybe after they’re done tickling you, they can pinch your arm to make you cry after.

      1. A random stranger suddenly tickling me would definitely be enough make me laugh. Or it would spook me. Being pinched would also make me cry, because I’m a wimp. I’ll be on the lookout for those tickle-pinch henchmen of yours everywhere I go.

        1. HAHAHA!! I wonder what would happen if I did randomly walk up to a stranger and start tickling them. Would I get punched in the face? That would most certainly make me cry……
          Don’t punch my henchmen.. unless they do pinch you, then you can.

  8. These last few days, I’ve been wondering how often it was normal for a young adult to cry. I’m going through a period of anguish and finding it impossible to cry in spite of the pain in my chest. Been trying to remember when I last cried, and it’s actually October 21st, 2012. I used to cry a lot more often than that when I was younger…now I find it despairing not being able to let tears go. I miss the relieving feeling so badly :(

  9. I hope it was clear that what I meant to say is although some are uncomfortable with crying and tell you not to, find that place where you can because it is so much healthier than not and then call a real friend and visit with a child…then listen to:
    “Lean on me” and “I’ll get by with a little help from my friends!”
    I cried last night. I said it was okay. AWESOME gave me permission!
    I am healing…thank you:)

  10. Pingback: sending her away. « Sick with Poetry.

  11. First I thought it was a scam but i summoned courage and followed the spiritual Instructions from Prophet Patel which turns out to reality as i see everything manifesting just the way he said they would. I don’t want to experience this all alone because i know a host of others would be going through emotional problem, finance etc Get your romance and love problem solved with the help of Prophet Patel, Servant of Lord Krishna from India. The below list are to mentioned but few of what Prophet Patel is Capable of doing for you. If only you will obey and follow instruction with your heart.

    – Control your future and change your destiny for the better
    – Bring back lost lover, even if lost for a long time
    – Get promotion you have desired for a long time at place of work or in your career.
    – Find out why you are not progressing in life and the solution
    – Ensure excellent school grades even for children with mental disabilities
    – Stop your marriage/Engagement or relationship from breaking up
    – Get married to the man of your choice or make Him propose to you.
    – Ensure success in work and business
    – Can’t sleep at night? Get it solved and have a sound sleep like a new born baby
    – Bring supernatural luck into your life
    -Have you been Loving with all your heart and get nothing in return?
    -Financial abundance? Get it without side effect or future effect.

    If you find yourself in any of the above listed category hurry and email him at lordkrishnanspell@gmail.com and tell him what you want.

    Theresa Huges
    Servant of Lord Krishna

Comments are closed.