Different types of tears
Not all tears are the same, we have experienced this since we were little. Tears are divided into 3 different categories. These are
On Falling-out of Sartre and Camus
Basal tears
Tears, which are naturally secreted to protect our eyes from dirt and provide moisture, are the most important for our health. They are mostly composed of water.
Reflex tears
These are tears that are secreted in response to situations that disturb our eyes, such as onion odour, wind or when we put pressure on our eyes, for example when removing make-up. Tears that flow uncontrollably when we burst into laughter are also considered reflex tears. Like basal tears, they are mostly water.
Emotional tears
The tears that we all think of when we think of crying are emotional tears that are secreted when we experience physical pain, pain or emotion. Although basal and reflex tears are seen in other animals, emotional tears are a completely unique human response.
When we feel emotions such as anger, sadness or happiness, the tears that fill our eyes are one of the most natural ways for us to physically experience the emotions we experience and show them to the other party. The most important detail that distinguishes emotional crying from other forms is hidden in the content of tears.
While basal and reflex tears consist almost entirely of water, emotional tears also contain hormones. In sudden pain or emotion, our body wants to throw out the hormones that increase in order to regain its normal state. In this case, if the person cries, the excess hormones that cause emotions are also removed from the body along with the tears. Crying is a good way to rebalance!
Health benefits of crying
- Crying allows the release of stress hormones.
Crying allows the body to release stress hormones that it produces more than normal. For this reason, after a good cry, the body feels a sense of relaxation, a feeling of burden lifted from the shoulders. Our breathing slows down, our heartbeat decreases, and the body goes into a much calmer phase biologically and emotionally.
- Crying helps us to understand, interpret and move forward with our emotions.
The only way to heal from a physical or emotional trauma is to recognise, make sense of and let go of immediate emotions. When we cry, along with our stress hormones, we also get rid of the suppression of the good or bad event we are experiencing at that moment.
The inability of the body to make sense of negative emotions such as sadness, grief, regret when they are experienced by the body causes much greater emotional consequences than the instant damage those emotions will cause. The growth of suppressed emotions with each new event experienced can push the person to the limit level that cannot handle more emotions. Therefore, crying heals the heart as much as it gives physical relief.
- Crying triggers the secretion of endorphins, also known as the happiness hormone in our body.
At the same time that elevated stress hormones are released from the body through tears, hormones that make us feel good are also secreted inside. The hormone oxytocin, which is released when we fall in love and bond with others, is also released during crying. In addition, endorphins, our body’s natural painkillers, also increase. This is precisely why the mood rises and the feeling of pain decreases after crying!
- Crying helps us to send the message we want to the other party, increases communication skills.
Sometimes we cannot express our feelings with words, but the tears flowing from our eyes help the other person to understand what we are feeling. The act of crying, which can visually convey the desired message to the relevant party, improves human relations. Despite the usual rules, crying in public attracts people instead of repelling them and increases co-operation.
