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Part 1
Laughing and crying are two basic human functions. They
typically represent two different emotional states, but I've been a victim of
laughing so hard I cried. Have you ever wondered why you cry tears or what
laugher really is? Welcome to another edition of medical mysteries!
Being a Cry Baby
So what are tears? Tears are made of mucus, water, and
oil. They keep the surface of our eyeballs clean and moist, and protect our
eyes from danger. The mucus helps bind the tear layer to the eye, while the
water is more of a saline solution which contains vitamins and minerals vital
to normal cell function. The oil prevents evaporation and contains natural
antibiotics called lysozymes which help fight off bacteria and viruses.
The "why" of crying is not as simple as just being sad or
upset. It is a natural emotional response to a stimulus, anything from pain and
disappointment to beauty and joy, and serves the emotional purpose of having a
release of energy with feelings. Biologically, crying is identified as a
survival mechanism since it acknowledges something needs to be dealt with; it
may also release stress hormones or toxins from the body. In addition, crying
has a social
function since it can be used to gain the support of those who see you cry.
 Women tend to cry more than men, but the population as a
whole is on a spectrum. Some people cry very easily and other rarely shed a
tear. Experts aren't sure why this is, but they identify temperament as playing
a role. Top criers are those who have a history of trauma and tend to relive
that trauma, and women who report anxiety.
People who identified themselves as extroverted and empathetic are more
likely to say they feel comfortable crying. I personally always feel better
after a good cry, and according to a study, most other people do as well.
Being around someone who is crying can make you feel
uncomfortable because they are showing their vulnerability and therefore making
the situation more intimate. Fortunately, WedMD gives some tips on how to
respond to a crier.
- Not responding can make the crier feel worse.
- Depending on how well you know the person, try
to do something supportive. This could be a hug or just listening
empathically.
- Ask what you can do to help. Unless the crier is
someone you know very well, don't assume you know how to comfort them.
- Crying in front of a large group of people
generally makes people more uncomfortable than those crying in front of people
they know. In either situation, criers always welcome support and kindness from
those around them.
Being a "Tough Guy"
Image Credit: Moijoie
While a lot of tears can make people uncomfortable, never
crying may not be mentally healthy. By constantly suppressing tears, people
learn to suppress the feelings too, causing the feeling to go unnoticed. The
way that looks to the outside world is depression. It's better to acknowledge the feelings of
sadness or hurt for what they are. However, if
you do need to be brave or it is inappropriate to cry you can excuse yourself
and find an appropriate place or postpone the crying by a positive distraction,
such as watching something funny, which brings me to my next topic - Why We
Laugh. Check it out next week.
In case you need a laugh before
then.
Resources
Why
We Cry: The Truth About Tearing Up
What are tears
made of?
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Re: Why We Cry
