Crying is good for you–just not for your sex drive. Crying is a form of self-medicating. Not chopping-an-onion crying, but emotional crying. It seems to provide two main benefits.
Stress relief.
When you cry emotionally, you are detoxing. Your tears contain ACTH, a chemical that becomes cortisol. Cortisol is the “fight or flight” stress hormone. It raises blood pressure, increases heart rate–the kinds of things that come in handy when being chased by a tiger. When you cry, you shed excess ACTH, helping you maintain emotional balance when feeling overwhelmed.
Well-being.
Whereas crying decreases cortisol, it increase prolactin. This chemical provides a sense of well-being and empathy. If others are around when you cry, you may feel closer to them afterward, more securely bonded. Also produced post-orgasm, prolactin decreases sex drive and makes you feel sleepy.
Although crying has benefits, it can also be a sign of depression. If you tear up easily these days, or if relatively minor setbacks seem devastating, talk to a therapist. Take this depression self-evaluation.
About the Author: James Robbins is a licensed professional counselor, published author and co-owner of Dallas Whole Life Counseling. He has over 15 years of experience helping people in various life stages that come from a wide variety of cultural, economic and family backgrounds. Learn more about his background by clicking here.