Types of Tears
Tears are extremely useful. They help us see clearly and wash debris from our eyes. They’re also expressive, as they help us communicate a variety of feelings.
Our eyes cry three different types of tears: basal, reflexive and emotional. Each has a different job and chemical composition.
1. Basal Tears
2. Reflex or Irritant Tears
3. Emotional or Psychic Tears
Most Common Reasons for Emotional Crying
- To process our emotions
- To sympathize with others
- To get our needs met
- To get help
- To relieve pain
- To form and strengthen social bonds
Emotional crying is controlled by the hypothalamus in the brain’s limbic system, which is involved in generating basic emotions such as sadness, fear and anger. When a person feels emotion, the hypothalamus springs into action to stimulate the lacrimal glands in the eyes to produce tears.
Emotional tears differ chemically from basal and reflex tears. Because emotional crying releases stress hormones, natural pain killers and feel-good hormones such as endorphins and oxytocin, researchers believe that it offers health benefits. That’s why a good cry can make you feel better.
So next time you hesitate to cry, remember that crying does the body good.
