A Good Cry Makes It Better

Ever wondered why a good cry can make you feel so much better? (Some of you may be less emotional and have no idea what I am talking about--but bear with me, you might like where this is going). Sometimes I need a good cry for things to seem right with the world again. Whether I am feeling empathy for a friend or going through something myself, I cry. Granted, this freaks out my less emotional husband. Usually, when the tears start flowing, he slowly begins to back away as I melt into a puddle into the floor. He just doesn't get it and says he has no idea what to say or do when he sees tears. 

Today, I started thinking about the chemical makeup of tears. I know that tears contain water and salt as I have tasted many on my lips. 

So, I did a little informal research (Google search, of course) and learned that the tears we shed based on emotions have a different chemical makeup than tears we shed due to allergies or eye irritants. Isn't that interesting? I thought so. 

So, what are our emotional tears made of, you ask? Maybe you didn't ask, but I am going to tell you. 

According to Wikipedia, " Emotional tears are composed of more protein-based hormones, such as prolactin, andrenocorticotropic and leucine enkephalin (a natural pain killer), which is suggested to be the mechanism behind the experience of crying from emotion making an individual feel better."

In  my limited research of Googling, I learned that too much prolactin can lead to a multitude of health issues. I learned that andrenocorticotropic stimulates the secretion of the stress hormone, cortisol, and that leucine enkephalin is a natural pain killer. 

My thoughts turned Psalm 139: 14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."  Aren't we wonderfully made? God gave us all the ability to cry and release the harmful build up of hormones while also allowing us to release a natural pain reliever in our tears to calm our souls. 

I don't know about you, but that makes me stand in awe. When God created us, He didn't leave out a single detail. So go ahead, don't hold back....have a good cry! Even cry the ugly cry, if you want! I won't judge. It will be good for you!