Posted by jujube on February 14, 2005, at 13:34:30
In reply to benefits of crying ?, posted by Shortelise on February 14, 2005, at 12:30:45
I wondered a while ago if crying was more than just an emotional release. Anyway, I found some articles on the benefits of crying some time ago, and held on to this interesting piece : http://www.geocities.com/tcartz/crying.html
Crying definitely feels good to me. I find, once I finish crying, that I feel almost energized (the endorphins I guess) and peace at the same time.
I can't watch tear-jerker movies when I am really sad or when I am feeling really emotional. I don't know what it is, but watching a tear-jerker when I am already struggling with sadness somehow makes me feel really empty and drawn. But, I enjoy a good tear-jerker. I am weird, though, because, sometimes the movies with the really happy, romantic endings can bring me to tears (tear of joy and hope???).
When does crying become a bad thing? That is for the person to decide I guess. If a person is crying about everything, at inappropriate times and it is interfering with their quality of life and their relationships, then I guess it has become a bad thing. Who knows.
I think crying can be self-soothing. It's a release and, perhaps, a gift we give ourselves (the gift of allowing our emotions to flow freely). And, sometimes, at least for me, I don't want to talk to someone about something that is bothering me so allowing myself a good cry helps me deal with any pain or conflicted emotional anguish I may be experiencing. In that regard, for me it is definitely self-soothing.
This is a good topic. Thanks for bringing it up.
Tamara
poster:jujube
thread:457632
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050211/msgs/457665.html