Since last week, I have really weird days. I spent in average two hours everyday sit down or walk with unbearable tears for a sudden. Holding my hands tightly in my chest, try to stop my emotion to burst out in tears. It wasn’t because I watched some romatic movies or saw sad stories in television. More inside incomprehensible mind inside that I couldn’t help to explain why it happens. But, I am sure it hurts deeply… 😦 That’s why this time, I attempt to search for the reason why people cry. With this maybe I can have some ideas and contemplate it hopefully…
Well, let’s use science to explain why do people actually cry when they feel sad or happy. Basically, people and animals has the tear ducts located under upper eyelids. These tear ducts are the reason why people can cry and can’t hold the tears that comes out. Tear ducts generated salty-liquid or tears immediately when we are in high level of emotion either sadness, physical pain or distress. The tears resulted from emotional responses are what we called “emotional tears”.
There are three types of tears being produced. Basal tears that keep the moist in eye from dryness. Second type is reflex tears which flows out when the eye becomes irritated as result of dust or bactery. And lastly is the emotional tears will be discussed more here.
Researchers have found out that more manganese and prolactin produced in emotional tears as to compare with other types of tears. Manganese is the element that affect temperament, whereas prolactin a protein that regulates milk production. It is claimed that sobbing out emotional tears may help in relieving pain. The process is when outside sources(lost, love, etc) or inside sources(self-realization one’s life) triggers emotion and affect us, the neuro system stimulates brain to send signal to the tear ducts/glands which will be translated to production of tears. And when those tears flush out through the eyes, excesses amount of hormones and chemicals are released as to balance the body’s stress levels. Thus, while crying we tend to cry more and feel better aftermath.
Crying in the public when everyone stares at you or in your room with no one notice is a choice. Because emotional tear is most likely produced as a means of communication to relate with others, crying without any person notice may not always healthy. Just like an infant, it express pain, fears, hunger without words but cry. In the progress, adults also crying as a kind of bonding with other humans. People express crying as a mean to comfort and receive support from others. Like culturally accepted reason to cry together is in funeral. Besides they cry to relieve tension, they are communicating and comforting each other at the same time.
Human sheds tears for various reasons, whether because of physically or psychologically necessities like moisturing eyes, relaxing irritation, and relieving pain or stress. Moreover, tears also a way of conveying communication. All the reasons that human cry absolutely can make you to buy boxes of tissue. However, the fact is crying is acceptable and it helps you to arrive at calm state. So, eventually crying, weeping or sobbing is not bad at all.
” The first accepted reason to cry is probably death. Grieving includes crying and often times it was believed that if someone did not cry, they would suffer physically because they did not release their pain. Experiences in life and love are other reasons society allows us to cry. Women have been allowed to cry more than men traditionally, but the benefits of crying seem to suggest that men need to cry more. Cultures around the world have crying out of obligation, for show, and for grief and pain. Each culture defines where and when it is acceptable to cry. Cultures, in some parts of the world, sometimes determine the length of crying and mourning. For example, in the Zuni culture, a chief allows the mourners of the dead to cry for four days after which the chief says that the death occurred four years ago, and now the mourning may end. ” – Why We Laugh and Cry
Sources –
“Why Do People Cry?” (2006). Retrieved from Scienceline http://scienceline.org/2006/10/23/ask-driscoll-tears/
Norlund, W. (n. d.). Retrieved from Gibbs Magazine http://www.gibbsmagazine.com/CryinLaughing.htm
^^ cheers,
rhyn~ love crying recently
NB: BUT, don’t cry too much! I am surely know that’s bad. Not only your eyes will swollen, but also not stopping crying can lead to major depression. So, after crying, find some good light and try to recover. After all, crying release tension 🙂
U can cry but U should never forget how to smile* 🙂
5 comments
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October 13, 2007 at 7:41 am
deziare
panjangnya…males gw bacanya..
huehue..
ni essay ya?buat kumpul besok?
haha
October 13, 2007 at 5:46 pm
desyz
dendeng lu…. kok ane bo support w e loh ya.. huhuuhu T.T sedih…
October 16, 2007 at 1:11 pm
deziare
NEVER WRITE AN ESSAY ON BLOG!!
haha..
parah parah…wa mao baca..tapi males…terpaksa dhe..
huhuhu…
crying isnt a bad thing at all, but for some guys, it just embarassing.
i know that we dont have to.
but u know.social problem
i myself wont feel ashame if i cry.
coz, boys also have feeling.
haha.
so what can u suggest for guys who is ashame to relieve their pain?
October 17, 2007 at 1:20 pm
desyz
Well, actually I have read that crying for boys in most culture is acceptable as in people won’t feel ashamed of crying. This will applicable as long as the situation approved it. For instance in funeral, boys do cry.
But, for some trivial things that may actually cause girls to cry (like cut oneself, or being scolded by someone) boys are expected not to cry like girls. The reason being is because boys perceived as stronger and tougher than girls in most context. And that this notion about boys are powerful than girls and not as sensitive as girls resulted in the culture where boys are not expected to cry as frequent as girls.
So, from what I know about it, I agree with the fact that boys are tough and less sensitive than girls. They may not cry in some condition that may actually girls will cry at. But, in certain condition boys that have so much pain (emotionally) they must just relieve their pain. Cry if they want. If they ashame to do that, they might need to read this article then and realized there is nothing bad as to sob for emotionally hurt ocassion. 🙂 Look at those Korean guys who cry most of the time in drama series when they are hurt. It is the way human relieve pain, and no one in this world will prohibit you from crying.
Hmm, I bet all guys have ever cried and they just feel ashamed to cry in public but they will cry unnoticably. That’s their choice, the same as girls.
September 4, 2011 at 3:09 pm
Cristian Stefan
I have to agree with you on that matter, crying is good for you, some people think about it the other way around.
Here are more reasons why crying is good for you:
1.Tears help us see
2.Tears kill bacteria
3.Tears remove toxins
4.Crying can elevate mood
5.Crying lowers stress
6.Tears build community
7.Tears release feelings