Snippeteers, let's talk about crying. I heard two women this week berate themselves for crying. One told herself to "snap out of it!" (Cher's line from the movie, Moonstruck) and the other asked, "What's wrong with me?"
Oh for crying out loud ...
NOTHING is wrong with you, woman!! You are entitled to cry if you feel upset. And to the first woman - you do not have to "snap out of it," you just have to go with the salty tears.
Snippeteers, you know, it is okay to cry. It is a natural reaction to joy, sadness, relief, grief, anxiety, frustration. Crying is a release of emotions, a cleanser, a stress reducer. It is a reaction which stems from various emotions we are experiencing. It is self-soothing. It helps us to feel better.
Why do we humans perceive the act of crying as weakness? Everyone cries - everyone. Maybe some are better than others at holding back tears or not crying often, but believe me - they cry sometimes.
Researchers have established that crying releases
oxytocin and endogenous opioids, also known
as endorphins. These feel-good chemicals
help ease both physical and emotional pain.
Can you think of a time you were apologizing to another person while you were crying? "I'm sorry I'm crying." (sniff) "I'll stop now." (sniff). Don't apologize for your tears. If someone in the room can't handle it or feels uncomfy - there's the door.
I always say, we should never apologize for our emotions. They are what they are. Showing an emotion is a sign you have a big heart, and aren't afraid to let others see your vulnerability. So instead of apologizing and wiping away your tears, allow them to refresh you!
Still not convinced? Still feel like a weenie if you cry? How about this? Crying is thought to burn roughly the same amount of calories as laughing – 1.3 calories per minute.
Crying is vital to our mental wellbeing. It is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of courage and strength. So go ahead and cry ... feel strong and soft at the same time.
