A happy ending to a story, a sad break-up, an onion chopped into pieces—they all can trigger our tears. Crying cleanses our stress and conveys grief, happiness, despondency, relief, contrition, and love. Despite its ubiquity, however, crying remains an enigmatic part of our humanity. Why do we cry? How has crying evolved throughout history? How does crying influence us? Historically, biologically, physiologically, psychologically, and sociologically, crying offers us insights into the human condition, how we experience the world around us, and how valuable crying can be as an opportunity for communication, intimacy, change, and enlightenment.
So the next time when you feel like crying, just like what Eileen Mayhew says, “let your tears come, and let them water your soul.”