by Have you ever been so happy that you couldn’t help but cry? It’s a strange and wonderful feeling, like a burst of joy that overwhelms you and spills out in tears. But don’t be ashamed of those tears. In fact, they could be doing you a world of good! It turns out that crying happy tears isn’t just a sign of your emotional state, but can actually have all sorts of amazing benefits for your mental and physical health. So grab a box of tissues and get ready to find out why crying happy tears is great for your overall health.
Why do we cry when we are happy?
One of the reasons why we may cry when we are happy is that tears are a natural way for our bodies to release and express intense emotions. Tears are a physical manifestation of our emotional state and can help us communicate our feelings to others. Also, crying happy tears can also be a way to release tension and stress that has built up in the body. When we experience intense emotions, it can create a feeling of physiological arousal in the body, including an increase in heart rate and breathing. Crying can help release this tension and restore a sense of calm.
Are these tears of happiness beneficial in any way?
1. It helps you feel better emotionally
The act of crying, regardless of whether it is secondary to a positive or negative emotion, helps to achieve a kind of internal stability or homeostasis. “When we experience intense emotions like joy, our bodies produce a variety of feel-good hormones, including endorphins, oxytocin, and dopamine. These hormones can have a positive impact on our mood and sense of well-being,” says Dr. Sachin Baliga, Consultant, Psychiatry, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore.
2. Brings up repressed emotions
We as humans commonly resort to consciously (suppress) or unconsciously (repress) hiding our stress, fears, and anxieties as we go about our daily lives for a variety of reasons. Dr. Baliga further explains that shedding happy tears after an important event, whether it is parents crying at their child’s wedding or a person crying after being selected after an interview, triggers a release of hidden emotions and raw, like releasing a pressure valve.
Also read: Do you end up crying after sex? They can be tears of joy
3. It helps us communicate with other humans
Human beings are social creatures, and one of the main ways we interact is through non-verbal communication. “Sometimes, particularly when one is at a loss for words, seeing tears in someone’s eyes can show the depth of the emotions they are experiencing for you, whether it be affection, love, gratitude or joy. He communicates a lot, despite the lack of words,” says Dr. Baliga.
4. It helps us connect with others
Staying one step ahead of communication, shedding tears of happiness helps us connect with each other. When you cry happy tears upon seeing or hearing about someone close, it naturally conveys the deeper bond you share. Dr. Baliga explains that oxytocin, a type of hormone released during happy crying, is also known to promote social bonding. Emotional strength comes from vulnerability.
5. It can be spiritually healing
Regardless of whether you are a religious person or not, crying tears of happiness or tears of joy can help you connect with your inner self, free from inhibitions or judgment. Not only is it a sign of emotional intelligence, but it can also be a deeply moving experience that can develop you spiritually as a person.
6. It is also good for physical health
In addition to its emotional benefits, crying happy tears can also have physical benefits. Tears contain a variety of compounds that can help clean our eyes and protect them from infection. Crying can also help regulate our breathing, slowing our heart rate and reducing feelings of anxiety or stress. A study published in ResearchGate notes that crying can help lower blood pressure and pulse, which in turn can reduce the risk of heart disease. This is because crying stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps us relax and recover from stressful situations.
So the next time you find yourself shedding tears of joy, don’t be afraid to embrace them. Remember that crying happy tears can be a powerful way to release tension, strengthen relationships, and improve our mental and physical health.
