Why We Cry and What It Means?

Crying is one of those strange, universal human things that everyone does but no one fully understands. It shows up during heartbreak, during joy, during frustration, or sometimes just because your body feels too full of… something. But why do we cry, really? What’s the science behind it? And does it actually serve a purpose, or is it just one of those weird emotional releases that makes us feel better for some mysterious reason?

This blog is here to break that down. We’ll talk about what crying actually is, the different kinds of tears, what they’re trying to tell us, and what crying might say about what’s going on inside you (even when you don’t have the words yet). Whether you cry all the time or haven’t cried in years, there’s something here for you.

What Is Crying?

Crying isn’t just a rush of emotions. In fact, it is a normal physiological biological response—a mix of physical reactions driven by the nervous system and emotional processing happening in the brain.

When a person cries, the brain signals through the autonomic nervous system and triggers tear production, usually from the lacrimal glands just above the eyeballs.

However, tears aren’t all equal. Actually, science has found three distinct types of tears, which are:

Basal tears – These are the everyday tears, which helps keep the eye moist and protected.
Reflex tears – Such tears show up when a person is cutting an onion- as a reflex reaction.
Emotional tears – These are the famous most talked about ones- usually triggered by numerous feelings such as sadness, joy, frustration, empathy, stress, relief, and more.

You know what is interesting? Emotional tears actually contain more hormones and proteins than the other types—especially stress hormones like cortisol. That’s why people often feel better after a good cry.

Why Do We Cry?

We cry for a mix of psychological, social, and biological reasons. It’s complex. Here are some of the major ones:

Emotional release: Crying is a form of emotional regulation. When we cry, our bodies are trying to bring us back to balance—especially after a build-up of stress or overwhelming feelings.
Connection and communication: Before we had language as babies, we cried to signal distress. Even now, crying can be a non-verbal way to express “I’m not okay” or “This matters to me” when we can’t find the words.
Empathy and bonding: Seeing someone cry tends to stir something in us. It makes others want to help or comfort. That emotional vulnerability creates connection.
Overwhelm or overstimulation: Sometimes, we cry when we’re experiencing too much—whether it’s too much pain or too much joy. Your nervous system is basically saying, “This is too big to process right now.”

Is Crying Healthy?

Yes. Crying is actually a sign that your brain and body are working together to help you release, process, and recalibrate. Studies have shown that crying helps you:

Lower cortisol (your stress hormone)
Increase oxytocin (the bonding/calming chemical)
Improve mood and sense of relief
Help you better understand what you’re feeling

But crying isn’t always easy. Some people were raised to think it’s a sign of weakness. Others may find that they can’t cry, even when they really want to. That doesn’t mean you’re broken—it might just mean your body’s protective mechanisms are trying to keep you emotionally “safe.”

Why Do Some People Cry More Than Others?

Everyone’s threshold is different. How often and how easily you cry can depend on:

Your nervous system sensitivity
Your upbringing and emotional environment
Hormonal fluctuations (especially in women)
Mental health conditions like anxiety or depression
Personality traits like high empathy

Some people are what’s called “highly sensitive”, meaning their brains are wired to feel emotions more intensely and process them deeply—crying often comes with that territory.

Can You Cry Too Much?

Crying is usually normal and healthy. But if you find yourself crying constantly, and it’s paired with feelings of hopelessness, exhaustion, or disconnection, it might be worth talking to someone. Persistent or uncontrollable crying could be a sign of:

Depression
Anxiety disorders
Grief that hasn’t been processed
Hormonal imbalances
Burnout or emotional exhaustion

You don’t need to wait for a “big reason” to reach out for support. Sometimes crying is your body waving a flag, asking for rest, connection, or help.

When You Feel Like You’re About to Cry But Can’t

Have you ever had that lump-in-your-throat feeling, like you’re on the edge of crying but the tears won’t come? That happens too. And it can feel frustrating.

This might mean your body is suppressing the tears because you’ve been taught not to cry, or because you’re in a situation where you don’t feel safe being vulnerable. Sometimes it’s because your nervous system is frozen in “shut down” mode, especially after trauma or long periods of stress.

Gentle ways to help release that stuck emotion:

Writing out how you’re feeling
Watching a movie that always makes you cry
Talking to someone who really sees you
Practicing deep, slow breathing
Giving yourself permission—literally—to cry

Conclusion

Crying doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human. It’s one of the most natural, healing, and telling responses our bodies have. Whether your tears come once in a while or often, they’re always trying to tell you something: that something matters. That something is hurting. Or that something is asking to be felt.

If we can start seeing crying not as something to hide, but something to listen to, we open the door to deeper emotional awareness and softer self-compassion.

So if you need to cry? Let it happen. Your body knows what it’s doing.

Read about: The Neuroscience of Habits: How to Build and Break Them

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