Tissues are available, and your tears are welcome

“Tears are Welcome” in our next FamiliesConnect session, led by Marj Deyell. Register to join us Nov 16 at 6pm ET.

by Marj Deyell

Why do we cry? Scientists have been trying to answer that question for centuries.

Most researchers believe that emotional tears – triggered by strong feelings such as joy, grief, and sadness – are unique to humans. Crying serves as an important indication to ourselves and others about the emotions we are experiencing.

Tears are essential to help you see clearly and to maintain the health of your eyes. They can also help communicate your emotions.

Do you feel better after a “good cry”? Do you have a go-to movie or song that you turn to when you need to let the tears flow? It has been found that in addition to being self-soothing, shedding emotional tears releases oxytocin and endorphins. These chemicals make people feel good and may also ease both physical and emotional pain. Crying helps reduce our pain and promotes a sense of well-being.

Crying often gets a bad reputation. In our patriarchal society, it’s sometimes mistakenly seen as a sign of weakness or immaturity. But the truth is that it can do us a whole lot of good – both physically and mentally for both genders. Perhaps being able to shed tears in public is a sign of strength, not of weakness. What are your thoughts?

Crying is a way to acknowledge painful and challenging emotions. Sometimes our pain can be buried so deep down, that it can be difficult to articulate. Crying allows us to express challenging emotions when we can’t find the words, and it may offer a sense of relief.

Over the years at Threads of Life, we have been encouraged to let our tears flow, feeling the warmth as they trickle down our faces. In this interactive session, we will discuss the different types of tears, the health benefits, and how to comfort others who may be in distress.

Tears are Welcome – Nov 16

November 16, 2022 6-8 p.m. EDT (convert for my time zone)

At Threads of Life events, tissues will be available and you will hear that tears are ok. Crying provides an emotional release and tears can help to heal your loss. In this interactive session we will discuss the different types of tears, the health benefits and some ideas on how to comfort someone who is crying. Come prepared to share your ‘go-to movie’ when you need a good cry.

Marj worked for many years as an RPN both in hospital and in the community. She and her husband Brian had 4 children – David, Helen, John, and Laura. John died in a workplace tragedy in 2003. They have 3 grandsons who they take great pride in. In her spare time, Marj is an active volunteer in her community, an avid curler (until the pandemic hit!), and lover of dogs. She is also a volunteer with Bereaved Families of Ontario – Midwestern Region and Threads of Life in many capacities including Volunteer Family Guide, Speaker, and Session Facilitator.

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