Why do we cry during happy times? What causes `tears of joy`?

Weather of Arabia - Crying when you are sad or in pain is normal, but crying in happy moments raises many questions. How can you be happy and cry as if you are sad at the same time? Is there a scientific reason for what are called “tears of joy”?

What causes “tears of joy”?

A group of psychologists believe that “tears of joy” may be the appropriate way for the body to regain its emotional balance. As they point out, reacting and responding to strong positive emotions with negative ones leads to balance in the body and allows the person to quickly calm intense emotions.

Scientists indicated that such ideas contribute to increasing their understanding of how emotions are expressed and monitored by individuals and that this is largely related to psychological and physical health, in addition to the quality of social relationships, which they indicate is of great importance. These scientists point out that there is also some evidence to the contrary, that strong negative emotions can elicit positive expressions.

for example; People can express feelings of sadness or anger with laughter or positive actions. These interactions may be a way to deal with difficult or frightening situations and mitigate their impact. Sometimes, laughter can be a person's reaction to strong negative emotions, which contributes to improving mood and relieving psychological stress.

What are the benefits of tears of joy?

Crying is not limited to sadness only, but it can have a positive effect on a person's feelings in different situations. Alina Fran, a psychiatrist and family therapist, explains that crying when sad can bring comfort and improvement to the person. Likewise, crying when happy can increase feelings of happiness and relief. Tears of joy help regulate and control emotions effectively. Note that people who can express their feelings and relieve stress by crying may suffer from fewer mood swings compared to people who do not cry.

Tears of joy represent an emotional expression and have a calming and comforting effect. The effect of crying for joy can be similar to that of a gentle hug or massage, relieving stress and promoting relaxation. In addition, tears of joy can release endorphins in the brain, which play a role in promoting feelings of happiness, well-being, and improving mood. In general, crying can be an important mechanism for relieving negative emotions and depression, and may contribute to achieving emotional and psychological relief.

When do tears of joy fall?

Dr. Alina Farran explains that crying when happy reflects a natural way in which the body gets rid of strong emotions. Tears express our emotional state and represent a way to convey our feelings to others. Tears of joy can help relieve stress and anxiety, and contain more anti-stress hormones and natural pain relievers than tears resulting from other causes. This helps calm and comfort the person.

It is worth noting that women generally cry more than men, and this is normal. This frank expression of feelings and the way of crying when happy and happy is considered a way to express emotions in a healthy and natural way, and it has a positive impact on mental health and social relationships.

Theories about tears of joy

Multiple studies and theories show the possible causes of the phenomenon of crying of joy:

• Loss of control over emotions: The theory of scientists Miceli and Castelfzanci indicates that all types of crying stem from feelings of frustration, helplessness, and surrender.
• Enhancing communication with others: Some specialists believe that crying is a way to enhance social relationships with others.
• Repressed feelings: Some people cry tears of joy when experiencing joyful events, but at the same time they may have repressed feelings of sadness that they had not previously expressed.
• Regulating body balance: Tears contain various substances such as enzymes, fats, electrolytes, and metabolites. Some believe that these substances may have a positive effect on the body, and that the release of hormones such as prolactin and leu-enkephalin through crying can help regulate the body's physical and emotional balance.
• Restore emotional balance: Researchers at Yale University believe that crying helps restore emotional balance and helps recover from strong emotions, whether happy, sad, or scary. This helps in maintaining a balance of feelings and emotions in daily life.

These theories may be understandable to many, as they help explain why we cry when we are happy and how crying can be a natural way of expressing a variety of emotions and feelings.

Sources:

aljazeera