Here is an excellent Health and Wellness article by my friend, Pastor Dirk Zinner, on allowing ourselves to express emotions for the sake of our health. I am a firm believer that the Sovereign Lord is in control of all Providence. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5, Ecclesiastes 3:4)

1. When people experience frustration, loss, sadness or stress, some immediately put up emotional barriers, forcing themselves to be strong.  Others permit themselves to shed tears. When they cry away some of their pain, they generally feel better. The reality is that crying can be good for you.

2. Leo Newhouse, writes this in  the Harvard health blog.” Crying is an important safety valve, largely because keeping difficult things inside- what psychologists call repressive coping- can be bad  for our health. Studies have linked repressive coping with a less resilient immune system, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension, as well as with mental health conditions, including stress, anxiety, and depression. Crying has  also been shown to increase attachment behaviour, encouraging closeness, empathy, and support from friends and family.”

3. You might think that crying will make you feel sadder, but most people simply  feel better after a good cry. There is science that supports this human experience. Scientists categorize three different types of liquid in tears. The first 2 are called ‘reflex tears” and “basal tears.” Their purpose is to remove irritants, such as smoke and dust, and lubricate  the eyes to prevent infection. Their content is 98% water. The third category of tears is “emotional tears”. They flush toxins out of the body and release endorphins, the body’s natural ‘feel- good’ chemicals, which ease physical and emotional pain.

4. Researchers have learned that crying activates the parasympathetic nervous system( PSNS), an important part of the human nervous system which helps the body rest , relax , and release. Tom Bunn, LSCW, explains that PSNS “is the name of the system that calms you…para means against and sympathetic refers to the sympathetic nervous system, the system that revs you up when stress hormones are released. The parasympathetic nervous system is designed to oppose the sympathetic nervous system  and keep it from causing hyperarousal.”

5. After a major loss such as the death of a loved one, crying can help you heal faster. Tina Tessina, PhD, a psychotherapist and author of ‘It Ends With You: Grow up And out of Dysfunction’ says, “Everyone needs to know how to grieve  and how to be sad in order to get over difficult events. There are a certain number of tears you must cry to let go, and getting on with crying is the fastest way.”