Sometimes when we feel very sad, other times when we feel unbearably happy, or when we cut an onion in the kitchen... tears come from our eyes at all these times. We simply call this "crying". It is actually a very normal and natural thing. But have you ever wondered why we cry? What is the science behind these tears? Is crying good for our body? Is it bad? Today we will talk about all this very simply, as if we were talking to a friend.
What does crying really mean?
When we think of crying, we usually think of tears flowing from our eyes. But in reality, crying is a more complex process. It can involve one or more of the following:
- Tears flowing from the eyes: This is the main thing.
- Making loud noises: Things like crying loudly, screaming, and making noises like small children.
- Changes in facial expression: The facial muscles become contracted, tense, and have a different appearance.
- Changes in breathing pattern: Rapid breathing or wheezing, accompanied by a feeling of suffocation.
But did you know that sometimes you can cry without tears ? Yes, there are people who do not produce tears due to certain medical conditions. But they can also experience crying along with other symptoms (voice cracking, facial expressions changing).
How are tears formed?
Above our eyes, just below our eyebrows, are two small glands called lacrimal glands. They're like two water tanks. These are where tears are produced. When we cry, these glands produce tears rapidly. Normally, these tears drain into a small tube (the `tear duct`) that runs from the corner of our eyes into our nose. But when we cry, so many tears are produced at once that the tube can't drain them all. That's when, like a river overflowing its banks when it's full, the extra tears flow over our eyelids and down our cheeks.
What are the main reasons why we cry?
Tears can be normal and healthy . There are two main reasons why we cry. Let's see what they are.
| Type of tear | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| 1. Reflex tears | This is like a defense system in the eye. When something like dirt, dust, or a strong odor gets into the eye, our eyes quickly produce tears to wash it away. Think of crying when you cut an onion, when you get a grain of sand in your eye, or when you breathe in a strong smell of smoke. These are called reflex tears. |
| 2. Emotional tears | This is the way we all know and feel. Tears are related to our emotions. This is something that researchers still don't fully understand. The parts of our brain that control emotions, the sympathetic nervous system, stimulate the tear glands and send signals to "make tears." This type of crying can be caused by any strong emotion, such as sadness, happiness, anger, frustration, surprise, or extreme fear . Examples of this include crying with joy when you see a family member after a long time, or crying when you hear a song that touches your heart. |
Are there other factors that affect crying?
Yes, of course. There are many other factors that affect how much someone cries and when they cry.
- Culture and upbringing: In some societies, boys, especially, are taught from a young age that "crying is a sign of weakness." So when they grow up, they tend to bottle up their emotions and not cry.
- Special occasions: However, even in cultures where crying is frowned upon, it is still considered normal to cry on special occasions. For example, at a funeral, at a wedding, or when a child is born.
- Fatigue and lack of sleep: If you are very tired and have not slept well, it is difficult to control your emotions. At such times, you may cry over even the smallest things.
- Hormones: The hormones in our body also affect crying. For example, it has been found that the hormone `(Testosterone)` stops crying to some extent, and the hormone `(Prolactin)` contributes to crying.
- Relationships: It's easier for us to cry in front of the people we trust the most and are closest to, because we know they will understand us.
- Mental health conditions: Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can cause frequent, uncontrollable crying.
- Nervous system diseases: Some diseases related to the brain and nerves can also cause crying for no reason. For example, diseases like migraines, cluster headaches, multiple sclerosis, or serious conditions like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or strokes.
Why do babies cry?
Babies can't talk. So their only way of communicating is by crying. A baby cries when something they don't like or are uncomfortable tells you.
The main reasons a baby cries are: hunger, sleepiness, a wet nappy, feeling lonely, or a painful condition such as colic.
In the first few weeks, babies cry without tears, only vocally. Crying with tears usually begins between 4 and 8 weeks. Over time, a mother can understand what her baby needs from the way he cries.
When should you seek medical advice about crying?
Usually, crying doesn't require a visit to the doctor. However, there are some cases where crying can be a sign of something serious. In the following cases, it is essential to seek immediate medical attention.
| Opportunity | What to do |
|---|---|
| In case of eye or face injury | If your eye hurts, if the tears don't stop coming out, go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. |
| If you get a hard blow to the head | If you experience uncontrollable crying or changes in behavior after a head injury, see a doctor immediately. |
| If something gets in your eyes (especially chemicals) | Immediately flush the eye thoroughly with clean water. If it is a chemical, immediately call the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital for advice. Then go to a hospital immediately. |
| Crying with symptoms of a stroke | If you experience uncontrollable crying along with symptoms such as drooping of one side of your face, numbness in an arm, or difficulty speaking, it could be a stroke. Go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. |
Additionally, if you feel like you can't control your crying and it's interfering with your daily activities (work, school, family life), then it's very important to see your doctor and talk about this.
Questions you have about crying...
Is crying good for our bodies?
It's hard to give a single answer to this. It depends on the type of tear.
Reflex tears are actually good because they protect our eyes from dirt and dust.
There are different opinions among researchers about emotional tears . Some studies have shown that our mood can immediately worsen after crying. However, the same study found that about 90 minutes after crying, we are in a better mood than before we cried .
Simply put, if you feel relief from crying, don't hold it in.
Does crying reduce pain?
No. Recent studies have shown that instead of reducing physical pain, crying can actually reduce the ability to tolerate pain and make it more intense.
Why do I cry so easily?
There is no rule book about when to cry and when not to cry. The reasons you cry are unique to you. You may be a very sensitive person. That's not wrong. But if you find yourself thinking, "I cry too much," and it's interfering with your life, it might be a good idea to talk to a mental health counselor . It's not a weakness, it's a decision to make as a strong person who cares about themselves.
How do you stop yourself from crying?
Sometimes, when we feel like crying in a place like the office, we need to control it. In such cases, you can try these things:
- Breathwork: Breathe deeply, slowly. Inhale through your nose, hold it for a moment, and exhale slowly through your mouth. This will calm your nervous system.
- Grounding exercises: Name 5 things in your environment . Identify 4 sounds you hear. Think about 3 touches you feel. These exercises can help you take your mind off the thoughts that are causing you to cry.
- Meditation and Mindfulness: Practicing these daily can improve your ability to control your emotions.
- Get enough sleep: It's easier to control your emotions after a good night's sleep.
Take-Home Message
- Crying is a normal, natural response to any strong emotion, not just sadness, such as happiness, anger, or fear.
- The tears that come out when something gets in the eye (reflex tears) actually protect our eyes.
- Since young babies don't know how to talk, they tell us their needs by crying.
- If you have an eye or head injury, are showing signs of a stroke, or if crying is interfering with your daily life, see your doctor immediately.
- If you feel relieved when you cry, don't hold it in. It can be good for your mental health.
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