We are always looking for a way to release the stress in our lives. Do we hold back a function of our body that can relieve some stress naturally? Have you heard the phrase, “Real men don’t cry.”? Do not believe it.
Crying is a good way to relieve your stress. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Emotional tears have special 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 which 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 stressful 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. I started writing this blog this past weekend after the heartbreaking event at Sandy Hook Elementary School. I shed many tears.
I am finishing writing this blog this evening after arriving home from church. Bruce and Lisa Wethey put on an incredible performance with their violin and flute. They shared their testimony of how God has worked in their lives throughout the evening. It made me more aware of how much of an impact that God has had in my own life. They closed out the performance with Silent Night and asked the audience to sing with them. I could not get out the words due to the emotions that were swelling up inside. I am so blessed.
Merry CHRISTmas!
