A lot of times relationships invoke tears … or weeping (really, who hasn’t cried themselves to sleep?). But somewhere along the way society has equated crying with weakness, causing many of us not to feel safe in shedding a few. Such a shame to, as crying is probably the fastest way to release emotions—and toxins.
All tears are not created equal, however. There are actually three types: continuous (keep our eyes moist), reflex (i.e., the onion cry), and emotional (i.e., break-ups, weddings, nice presents). Because each type of tear comes from a different “place” within us, it makes sense that they have different compositions.
William Frey, biochemist at The University of Minnesota, studied the make-up of tears. He discovered that emotional tears contain adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), which is released during times of stress. In other words, emotional tears release toxins just as sneezing and sweating do. No wonder I feel like a new (and nicer) person after a “good cry.”
So instead of the U.S. being such a happiness-pusher, maybe it should start doling out the tissues like Japan and Britain, where crying is “in.” In lieu of going to the self-help section of the bookstore, the Japanese and Brits are frequenting crying clubs. So what the hell are crying clubs, anyway? Well, they’re kinda like they sound; places that induce crying with tear-jerker films, sappy books, love songs, and divorce papers.
Going to a club to cry may sound odd, but we have laugher clubs and laughter yoga, so why not? I mean, wouldn’t it be nice to have someone else clean up your sniveling mess?
