"Cry baby!"

"The sorrow which has no vent in tears may make other organs weep." ~ Henry Maudsley

Did you know that our bodies create 3 different types of tears?  

{Photo - Internet}

(1) Reflex
(2) Continuous
(3) Emotional

What's more, each type of tear has it's own healing purpose, e.g.

(1) Reflex tears allow our eyes to clear out noxious particles when 
they’re irritated by smoke or exhaust.

(2) Continuous tears are produced regularly to keep our eyes lubricated--these contain a chemical called “lysozyme” which functions as an anti-bacterial and protects our eyes from infection.

(3) Emotional tears have special health benefits... and it is these 
health benefits which I have been studying this past week.

The Benefits of Shedding Emotional Tears

Modern day science has found that 'emotional tears' are beneficial in the following ways:

1 Emotional tears release the hormone ‘cortisol’ from our body.

Dr Frey, Ramsey Medical Center, Minneapolis, found that tears caused by emotions had high levels of 
cortisol, which are then excreted into the body during times of stress!  Whilst cortisol is an important hormone that serves to balance normal body function, high and prolonged levels of cortisol in the bloodstream (like those associated with chronic stress) have a negative effect and have been found to be associated with all sorts of medical problems, e.g. 

Impaired congnitive performance, suppressed thyroid function, blood sugar imbalances such as hyperglycemia, type 2 diabetes, decreased bone density, decreased muscle tissue, raised blood pressure, lowered immunity and inflammatory responses in the body, slower wound healing, increased abdominal fat, which is associated 

with heart attacks, strokes, higher levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL) which in turn can lead to other health problems!

2 Additional studies also suggest that emotional crying stimulates the production of ‘endorphins’, i.e. the body’s natural pain killer and “feel-good” hormones!”


I'm sure we all have experienced the benefits of 'endorphins' at some time or other and can each personally vouch that we do indeed feel much better after a good cry.

3 Psychologists consider that when people stifle their emotions, it actually cultivates anger and depression.  

However, they also found that breathing tends to improve after crying, i.e. it becomes deeper which in turn helps to control anger and anxiety!

4 Emotional tears also alert us to a 'need' in others.  

Emotional tears can often be a good indicator that someone needs our prayer support, comfort, and encouragement.  

Additional research

• 88.8 % of people feel better after crying.
• On average women cry 47 times a year and men a mere 7.
• Until puberty, crying levels are much the same for each gender – testosterone may reduce crying in boys while oestrogen and prolactin increases the tendency in girls.
• Men excrete more of the toxins related to emotional stress in their sweat! Because they have higher sweat levels than women. 
• Saying: "Be brave, don't cry" is totally unhelpful because crying can actually help reduce pain.

Emotional Tears and the Bible

Some Biblical examples re: emotional tears:

Mark 14:72  And the second time the cockerel crowed. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, “Before the cockerel crows twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.” And when he thought thereon, he wept.

Ruth 1:9 Ruth said: “The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.”
Then she kissed them [her two daughter in laws]; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

Genesis 43:30 And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to
weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there.

Genesis 46:29 And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen,
and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.

John 20:11  But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down,
and looked into the sepulchre.

Luke 19:41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, [Jesus] wept over it.

John 11:35 “Jesus wept.”

Even Jesus shed tears when He was overcome with emotion and therefore, He leads the way by example.
If Jesus [in all His humanity] wept - we should never be ashamed to cry whenever we feel the need to!

What have I learnt from this study?

Emotional tears are the body’s way of helping to protect and preserve our lives whilst under 
immense stress and pressure.  They are scientifically regarded as being beneficial psychologically, 
physically, and socially.  What's more, our God created all 3 types of tears and He did so with their different healing purposes in mind. 

Regardless of the circumstance,

Regardless of the fear,

Regardless of the pain we bear,

Regardless of the tear,

Our God is ever in control, 

Performing as He should, 

And He has promised in His word 

To work things for our good 

But as a loving Father would, 

He sometimes lets us cry 

To cleanse the hurt out of our heart, 

To wash it from our eye. 

Yet gently gathers He the tears 

Within His hands to stay 

Until He turns them into pearls 

And gives them back someday. 

© 1980 Glenda Fulton Dav Tears

NB Frequent crying is not always good for you and can be a sign of more serious conditions, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and postnatal depression. Therefore, if you're depressed and crying all the time, you might need to seek pastoral and medical help.

Sources of medical/scientific information:

EzineArticles by Catherine Quel

The Health Benefits of Tears
Got Question.org

This post was featured on Deep Roots at Home

Wendy is originally from the North West coast of Scotland, near Glencoe.  She trusted the Lord Jesus as Saviour in November 1986 during a Faith Mission Campaign.