The Anatomy Of A Tear
Of all mammals, human beings are the only ones known to cry in response to emotional stress.
We feel better after we cry. Science supports this and also tells us that all tears are not created equal: Tears shed while cutting an onion are not the same to those accompanying an emotional response. Dr. William Frey, a biochemist who has studied the chemical composition of tears, has suggested that tears may help us to relieve stress by excreting stress hormones to restore homeostasis.
“People say they feel better after crying, and our data show this is so.”
We humans come equipped with the tools to move through stresses and trauma, but sometimes that isn’t supported – and we learn coping mechanisms that affect us negatively later on in life, like distraction, addictions, numbing, dissociating, etc. We become disconnected from our feelings, and our bodies, which ultimately takes a toll on our health and well-being.
There is evidence that those with stress-related disorders were shown to cry less than those who were healthy.
What does this say about our culture where “good” girls and boys don’t cry? Or where children are at best “seen and not heard”? And where men crying is not supported or encouraged? How has this contributed to dis-ease and how do we build a culture that truly supports good health?
Feeling safe to express big feelings in someone’s loving presence is healing for both adults and children alike. It is the process of un-hurting.
For support on improving your capacity to listen or to get comfortable around big feelings, whether they are your child’s or your own, 1:1 consultations with me are available here.
Much love and healthy un-hurting,
Lia