Show your emotions

Stress is a part of everyday life, and finding ways to effectively manage it is key. Don’t let anyone tell you that tears are a sign of weakness – crying can be a natural, cathartic release that helps reduce stress levels. Don’t be afraid to express your emotions openly and honestly!

Shedding a few tears can be incredibly beneficial as it helps release stored-up stress. Don’t be ashamed of showing your emotions through crying, it is a sign of strength and has proven health benefits. Biochemist and “tear expert” Dr. William Frey at the Ramsey Medical Center in Minneapolis discovered that reflex tears are 98% water, whereas emotional tears also contain stress hormones that get excreted from the body through crying. After studying the composition of tears, Dr. Frey found that emotional tears shed these hormones and other toxins which accumulate during stress. Additional studies also suggest that crying stimulates the production of endorphins, our body’s natural pain killer and “feel-good” hormones.”

So, do not hold back the tears.  Let them flow.  You will feel better.  Maybe you do not feel comfortable crying in front of others.  Find some “alone” time and release the tears.  I find that when I pray during a particularly difficult time, I really break down and cry.  I let go of my troubles and let God take control.  It is such a stress relief. 

I remember sitting in on an employee counseling years ago with a fellow manager.  They were executing a written warning to an employee and the employee became overwhelmed with the stress of the moment.  She started crying.  The manager told her to stop crying and insisted that she put off crying until after the counseling session was over.  I was flabbergasted.  Watching the young gal try to hold in her emotions and the tears was hard because it was just adding more stress to the situation. 

We need to quit having the perception that crying is a sign of weakness. Stress relief comes in many forms.  Figure out what works for you and use them.  If it is crying, do not be ashamed of it.  It is a natural stress reliever. 

“Put my tears in Your bottle” (Psalm 56:8, NASB)

Every time we cry—our Savior collects our tears and remembers us. There are no wasted tears for those who put their trust in God. He allows us to cry out to Him so that we can know His presence of peace in the midst of confusion and difficulty. We must cry in faith and not despair to make our hearts whole in Him.