Cry, dear one. Cry with an open heart. Cry in silence, or cry out loud. Whether it’s a choked whisper or a flood of tears, don’t hold back. Crying is not a weakness, nor is it something only for a certain kind of person. It is deeply human. It is healing.
According to psychologists, crying is essential for a compassionate and emotionally balanced life. But it’s not always as easy as it seems.

Crying protects us from the harmful effects of grief and pain.
But crying isn't just about shedding tears. To truly cry, a person must mentally revisit a deeply painful experience and allow the associated sorrow to rise to the surface. When those emotions become overwhelming, tears flow naturally.
Tears and crying are powerful expressions of our inner emotions. Psychologists believe that crying acts as a natural safety valve—helping protect both the body and mind from the damaging effects of grief and emotional pain.
Dr. William Fry, a biochemist from the Department of Psychiatry at the Paul Ramsey Medical Center in Minnesota, explains that sadness, pain, and trauma produce toxic molecules in the body. Crying, he says, helps flush out these harmful substances.
That’s why someone weighed down by sorrow often feels noticeably lighter and more at peace after a good, heartfelt cry.

The chemical composition of tears caused by sadness is different
The chemical composition of tears caused by sadness is different from tears caused by irritation. 
Dr. Fry conducted a research study to explore this difference. A group of volunteers was shown sad movies and instructed to collect their tears in test tubes if they cried during the viewing.
A few days later, the same volunteers were exposed to freshly cut onion slices, and their tears were collected again. The analysis revealed that the tears produced by sadness had a completely different chemical makeup compared to the tears caused by irritation from onions.

Crying restores mental balance
Psychologists have long believed—though without chemical proof—that crying is highly beneficial for the body. They hold that crying helps release the tension caused by emotional struggles, regardless of their nature.
Psychologist Professor Frederick Fletch explains that stress disrupts our inner balance, while crying helps restore it. Through crying, the central nervous system is relieved of mental stress. When we hold back tears, that stress remains trapped within the body.
Unfortunately, modern urban life often discourages us from expressing emotions like sadness openly, making it harder to release this built-up tension through crying.

Suppressing crying creates toxins in the body
Many people believe that crying is a sign of weakness. As a result, we not only hold back our tears, but also begin to suppress other emotions—fear, anxiety, anger. Over time, this emotional suppression can give rise to chronic tension and harmful toxins within the body.But crying is a deeply human act. Crying has the power to heal the body. It opens the heart to sympathy and draws compassion from others. Tears soften us—and through them, compassion grows. And it is this compassion that truly makes us human.
But what if you find yourself unable to cry? This is a struggle for many. Often, those who carry great responsibilities—especially men—find it hardest to let the tears flow.
If you find it difficult to cry, begin by gently acknowledging that there is something within you that needs release. Allow yourself to recognize the need to cry. Share this with someone you trust—let them know why your heart feels heavy.
Then, when the moment feels right, let the tears come—without holding back. Cry as much as you need. For holding back your tears is like denying yourself one of nature’s simplest and most healing ways to express emotion.


Crying is often the first step toward healing from depression.
Yet, those who are deeply depressed often find it difficult to cry. Their sadness runs so deep that even tears feel out of reach. Depression arises when our natural response to pain, loss, or sorrow becomes blocked or distorted—when the heart can no longer express what it feels.
Research shows that once a person begins to cry, even gently, it can mark the beginning of their healing from depression.
Psychologist Dr. Gay Guerlum expressed it beautifully: for those whom society has taught to hold back their tears, the first step toward healing is to simply learn how to cry—openly, and without shame.

The Practice of Crying Openly
In his book Your Second Life, Dr. Lum offers a simple and gentle method to help you reconnect with your tears.
Begin by sitting comfortably in a quiet room. Create a space where you will not be disturbed—turn off your phone, and ensure you have time just for yourself.
Now, place both hands gently on your chest. Take a quick, steady breath in. Then breathe out, letting your exhale carry a soft, wavering sound—like the gentle cry of a baby.
Listen to that sound. Stay with it. Begin to feel the emotion behind it—the sorrow that lives quietly within you.
Now, let out the sound of a held-back cry. Let it rise from your chest, your throat. As you repeat this gentle, broken sound, bring to mind the experiences, memories, or thoughts that have caused you pain. Let them surface. Let them be heard through your voice.
As you make the sound of a cry, gently bring to mind the pain and sorrow that lie beneath it. Let yourself feel it fully. Allow yourself to be human—to feel deeply, without judgment.
If the tears don’t come right away, that’s perfectly okay. Repeat the practice with patience. Sometimes, a headache may arise—this is often the body’s way of signaling stored tension. When that happens, let it be a cue to continue. Allow the tears to come.
And when they do, you will begin to feel a subtle lightness within. Bursts of sobbing can be especially soothing. 
Sobbing creates a gentle and rhythmic activity throughout the body. Such crying creates vibrations not only in the throat, but also in the chest, stomach, navel and even the sinuses and calms you from the inside.
Psychologist Dr. Savory says that consciously crying is also beneficial for health. When you are consciously trying to cry, your attention is being focused on one point. Try to gently observe your fear, anger, sadness, and pain. As you exhale, notice how this tension—the root of these emotions—slowly begins to leave your body. In this way, you both acknowledge and consciously release these harmful feelings. Through crying, you give voice to your sadness, anger, and pain.
Let yourself fully release all that pain. Otherwise, just like keeping dirt inside a house makes the whole space feel unpleasant, holding onto accumulated sadness can darken your entire being.

Crying brings peace by opening your soul
If you find it easy to cry, you may also find it easier to work through your problems. But if crying doesn’t come easily, try to allow yourself just a little.
At a workshop we held at Quantum with 25 volunteers, when we first mentioned the idea of crying, instead of tears, the room filled with suppressed laughter, giggles, and smiles. For about 10 minutes, everyone laughed together.
Then, as the practice continued mindfully, the mood shifted—and by the end of the hour, everyone was able to cry and release their emotions.
The experience of crying was deeply moving for everyone. For many, it was the first time they had truly cried since childhood.

You too can release your sadness, pain, regret, and anger through tears—allowing yourself to let go. In doing so, you open the door to a new rhythm of physical and emotional well-being.