The Crying Game

You do not cry during sad movies, when you are frustrated, or even during times of great sorrow. In fact, you may even stay dry-eyed during funerals. If you pride yourself on rarely bursting into tears, even under extreme stress, you should reconsider your behavior. Crying is nothing to be ashamed of, and regular crying bouts can be healthy for you in a number of ways. Stop suppressing the urge and let the tears flow.

Eye Health

Your eyes need moisture in order to function properly. In fact, some people suffer from dry eye disease, an inability to produce enough tears, which can adversely affect your eyesight. Without enough moisture, dirt and debris can build up on your eye's surface, limiting your vision and raising the chance of inflammation and abrasions. Those who do not produce enough tears often have to rely on eye drops to keep their eyes lubricated. If you are able to tear up on your own, you should. A brief crying spell will wash your eyes and refresh your vision.

If you cannot produce enough tears, you will also have difficulty wearing contact lenses. In fact, the lack of tears can severely limit the time you can wear regular soft lenses. You may have to consult with your optometrist for special options. If you can produce plenty of tears, you will have more vision aid choices.

Emotional Health

When you cry emotional tears, you not only cleanse your eyes; you cleanse your body of stress hormones. During emotionally taxing times, you can purge your body of these harmful hormones while increasing your body's production of endorphins, the hormones that make you feel good. You can make a bad situation feel better if you let yourself cry. If you are at work and prefer to cry in private, take a crying break in your car. Just bring along some tissues and some concealer when you do.

Vulnerability

If you do cry in front of others, do not feel ashamed. Appearing stoic is not always a positive thing. People often feel more of a kinship with those who display their vulnerabilities. An occasional public cry can help you bond with your coworkers, friends, family members, and even strangers. To cry is human. Never crying is unhealthy for you both physically and emotionally.

If you are a regular weeper, you should not feel bad about your habit. Your eyes and emotional state may well be stronger and healthier than that of those around you. Crying is a natural act, which is why your eyes need your tear ducts to be fully functioning. In one classic movie, a character schedules crying time on her calendar. Although it's a funny scene in the film, it's actually not a bad idea for us all.

If you think your eyes may be suffering from a lack of tears, talk to an optometrist or click here for more info.


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