5 Reasons Why Crying is Good for You

By Marlo Sollitto, AgingCare.com Editor

Researchers have proven what many caregivers have already figured out on their own: sometimes there’s nothing like a good cry to make you feel better. Crying is cathartic.

Neuroscientist and tear researcher Dr. William H. Frey II, PhD, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, studies the affects of crying. He’s spent over 15 years studying crying and tears.

Research shows:

85 percent of women and 73 percent of men felt less sad and angry after crying
On average, women cry 47 times a year, men cry 7 times a year
Crying bouts last 6 minutes on average
Tears are more often shed between 7 and 10 p.m.

According to Frey, “crying is not only a human response to sorrow and frustration, it’s a healthy one. Crying is a natural way to reduce emotional stress that, left unchecked, has negative physical affects on the body, including increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and other stress-related disorders.

Here are five reasons why crying is good for you:

1. Crying Relieves Stress
Because unalleviated stress can increase our risk for heart attack and damage certain areas of our brain, the human ability to cry has survival value, Frey says.

Go Ahead, Have a Good Cry – 5 Reasons Why It’s Good for You originally appeared on AgingCare.com

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Rita W.

8:29AM PST on Nov 17, 2012

good info, thanks

November 17
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Joe R.

4:35PM PDT on Mar 30, 2012

Thanks.

March 30
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1:16PM PST on Nov 17, 2011

thanks

Past Member .

7:05AM PDT on Oct 16, 2011

October 16
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Caitlin F.

5:01AM PDT on Jun 29, 2011

Thanks, interesting read. makes alot of sense, we all need a good cry sometimes.

June 29
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Becky L.

8:29AM PDT on Jun 27, 2011

When I cry, though, I typically end up having a panic attack. And smoking half a pack of cigarettes in order to calm down. There's nothing healthy about it for me. :(

June 27
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Ira M.

11:09AM PDT on Jun 26, 2011

Thank you!

June 26
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Linda E.

1:58PM PDT on Jun 24, 2011

Sometimes I just can't stop myself from crying. It doesn't always make me feel better.

June 24
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Jamie W.

10:19AM PDT on Jun 24, 2011

Crying is such a great thing, it's also great if you're an artist/writer (inspiration), the downsides are migraines and being extremely groggy.

Laura K.

6:13AM PDT on Jun 24, 2011

Crying is a great release of all emotions and stress. if i listen to my favorite Christmas song..."Oh, holy night", i start crying because it is such a beautiful song and it gets me in touch with the holy spirit. it works like magic!