As I write this, the emotions from the recent election are still raw. Like many, I’ve shed more tears than I can count. But you know what? That’s okay. In fact, it’s more than okay – it’s necessary. 

Tears are a beautiful, natural gift that we often try to suppress or ignore. We’ve been conditioned to see crying as a sign of weakness, when in reality, it’s one of the most powerful tools we have for emotional healing and transformation.

Your tears are not a burden, but a vital part of your wellbeing. They contain chemicals that help flush out stress, pain, and toxins from your body. Crying isn’t just an outlet for sadness – it can also help you process joy, relief, frustration, and a whole range of complex emotions.

The Science of Tears: A Physiological Process for Healing

Did you know that not all tears are created equal? The body produces three types of tears, and each plays a unique role in your health:

• Basal Tears are your eye’s natural lubricants, always present to keep your corneas hydrated, protected, and free of debris.
• Reflex Tears are triggered by irritants like onions or smoke, reflex tears are your body’s defense mechanism to flush out harmful substances.
• Emotional Tears are the beautiful tears that flow when you’re feeling strong emotions like sadness, joy, or even relief.

Emotional tears are where the real magic happens when it comes to your mental and emotional health. The chemical composition of emotional tears is different from other types of tears. They contain higher levels of stress hormones like cortisol, as well as natural painkillers like leucine enkephalin. 

When you cry, you’re not just expressing emotions – you’re also physically flushing out these chemicals that have built up due to stress and overwhelming feelings. Emotional tears contain 24% more protein-based hormones than basal or reflex tears. This helps explain why you often feel a profound sense of relief after a good cry.

Crying also triggers the release of endorphins, your body’s natural feel-good chemicals. These endorphins can help soothe physical and emotional pain, improve your mood, and lower blood pressure. In essence, your tears are a built-in self-care mechanism, nature’s way of helping you heal.

The differences don’t stop there. Tears produced from laughing tend to have higher amounts of the feel-good hormone oxytocin, which promotes bonding and positive emotions. Tears from sadness, on the other hand, have elevated levels of the stress hormone prolactin, which can make you feel more weepy and introspective.

By understanding the unique chemical makeup of our different types of tears, we can start to see crying as an essential part of our body’s way of maintaining balance, reducing tension, and facilitating the healing process – not just an inconvenient side effect of our emotions.

Embracing the Transformative Power of Tears

When we suppress our tears, we’re actually holding onto pain and preventing ourselves from fully processing our experiences. Allowing yourself to cry is an act of courage, vulnerability, and self-care. It’s how we honor our emotions and begin the journey towards wholeness.

By letting the tears flow, you’re engaging your parasympathetic nervous system, which slows your heart rate, lowers your blood pressure, and helps you relax. It’s nature’s way of soothing your soul and restoring emotional balance.

Crying isn’t just good for your mental health – it’s also beneficial for your physical wellbeing. Tears help cleanse your eyes, can lower your blood pressure, and serve as a natural detoxifier, flushing out stress hormones and other toxins.

I want to give you permission to cry.

Let the tears flow whenever you feel the need, without judgment or shame. Find a safe, comfortable space and allow yourself to fully feel and express what’s happening within. Pair it with journaling, meditation, or simply giving yourself space to process.

Trust that your tears are a gift – a way for your body and mind to recalibrate, detox, and heal. Embracing the power of your tears is one of the most transformative things you can do for your overall wellbeing. It’s time to stop seeing crying as weakness, and start recognizing it as an essential part of the human experience.

Your tears have the power to cleanse, soothe, and restore you. So the next time you feel them welling up, don’t hold them back. Let your body do its sacred work of healing, one precious tear at a time.

Sending you so much love.

xoxo Tracey