Crying has always been a misunderstood topic in our society. Even today, people say things like “Only weak people cry” or “Men should not cry,” and women are often unfairly judged by saying “crying is something they do too much.” But these perspectives are far from reality. Crying has nothing to do with strength or gender. It is simply being a human, a natural way of expressing emotions. It’s very similar to how we express happiness when things go our way or anger when things don’t. And in the right context, it is even transformative.

As mental health professionals, we often encourage our clients to cry, especially when they’ve been holding a lot inside. Almost always, clients respond with relief, sharing things like, “I feel lighter,” “I didn’t realise how much I needed this,” or “I never had a safe space to cry in front of someone.”

Sadly, the last statement reflects the reality for many. We live in a culture that tells us to be strong, hold it together, and not break down. As a result, many carry their tears silently, unaware of its emotional weight.

Crying is never wrong. In fact, avoiding it can silently harm us. Pushing emotions away doesn’t make them disappear; it only accumulates inside, often showing up as irritability, heaviness, headaches, burnout, or emotional numbness.

Have you noticed that when you finally cry after holding things in, it feels like a release? That’s not just in your head. Research suggests that crying can help the body return to a calmer state. Studies show that crying may support emotional regulation by steadying our breathing and activating the parasympathetic nervous system—the part responsible for calming us down.

While not everyone feels the same way about crying, these mechanisms may explain why many people feel calmer, clearer, or even sleepy after a big cry. The nervous system finally gets a chance to breathe rather than fight the emotional overload. So if you feel heavy or irritated for “no reason,” crying may simply be your body’s way of saying, “I need to let this out”.

Another powerful yet overlooked benefit of crying is that it helps us safely access our most vulnerable side. We often hear people say, “I don’t cry in front of anyone,” often because they’ve never had a space where their emotions could be expressed without judgment. But when someone finally feels secure enough to cry, whether in therapy or with a trusted person, it becomes a profound moment of emotional softening.

Crying in a safe space isn’t a sign of weakness; it shows the body feels secure enough to let down its guard. Moments like these build connection, trust, and emotional openness. As human beings, we’re wired for co-regulation. We feel and heal better when our emotions are held gently by another person. And sometimes, the tears we shed in safe company become the first step in healing wounds that were formed in isolation.

Crying also helps us understand ourselves better. Sometimes, crying is our body trying to tell us something important. It highlights what really matters. Often, we cry not because we are weak, but because we have been strong for too long. Our tears can reveal unmet needs, emotional limits, heartbreaks, or even the depth of our love for something.

Instead of avoiding crying, we can ask ourselves: Why did this affect me so much? What have I been ignoring for a long time? These moments bring us closer to ourselves and help us understand what we feel.

It’s also important to remember that crying is completely normal. Tears are a natural part of being human. At the same time, we need to be mindful if crying becomes very frequent. Regular or unexplained crying spells may signal emotional overwhelm, burnout, unprocessed trauma, accumulated stress, or hormonal changes. In such cases, awareness is needed, not shame or panic. Avoiding crying entirely is not a strength; it is suppression, and suppressed emotions always find a way to show up in the body.

We’ve never really been taught to embrace or show our emotions through crying. To embrace this normal part of being human, here are some tools that might help you open up and feel better after crying.

First, try naming what you’re feeling. Say it out loud or silently to yourself. Just naming it can help tame the intensity. You can say, I am hurt, I am scared, I am overwhelmed. Finding a safe and private space, a quiet corner, can also help you release pent-up emotions.

Another way is scanning your body for tension. Ask yourself, where am I holding stress or tightness today? Focusing on these spots often naturally and safely brings tears, helping release tension. Crying in the presence of a supportive person, without them trying to fix anything, can be incredibly healing too, because humans heal through connection.

After crying, it’s important to ground yourself. Drink a glass of water, wash your face, take a few deep breaths, or write down how crying helped you release. This is your way of resetting your body.

And if crying feels constant or uncontrollable, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Reaching out for support is a wise move, not a sign of weakness.