Q. Does crying improve one’s mental health?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Absolutely! In fact, research has shown that crying can be beneficial for a person's mental health. Crying is a form of emotional release and catharsis that helps us cope with difficult situations in our lives. Studies have found that tears contain the hormone prolactin, which is known to decrease stress levels and help regulate emotions, leading to an improved sense of well-being.
In addition, crying can help reduce feelings of sadness and even depression by releasing negative emotions and raising serotonin levels. Crying also provides a physical outlet for intense feelings in tense situations or when overwhelmed by emotion. When someone cries it signals to others that something needs attention, whether it's grief stemming from loss or simply needing sympathy for being overly stressed. Finally, allowing yourself time to cry serves as an outlet for any pent-up stress or frustration you may be feeling - this release can lead to greater clarity in life decisions and relationships down the road.