As we recover from the emotional toll of lockdowns and disrupted routines, many of us are still carrying the weight of unexpressed emotions.
Frustration often bubbles up as anger, but beneath that lies sadness, vulnerability, and longing for connection.
During those uncertain times, we learned to suppress our emotions. Many of us said nothing, or, on the contrary, we lashed out.
Our brains, wired for survival, adapted by shielding us from emotional exposure. But in doing so, we lost touch with our natural selves.
Crying is not a weakness; it’s neuroscience. Emotional tears activate the limbic system, especially the amygdala and hypothalamus, which regulate our emotional responses.
Crying triggers the parasympathetic nervous system, helping us shift from fight-or-flight into rest and repair. Tears release cortisol, prolactin, and endorphins, reducing stress and bringing emotional relief.
Crying is also evolutionary.
It’s a call for help, a display of vulnerability, and a way to strengthen bonds. Evolutionary biologists suggest that tears blur our vision to lower defences, signalling submission and a need for connection.
And we are wired to laugh.
Laughter, like crying, is deeply rooted in our biology. It evolved from play signals in early mammals and became a tool for survival, helping us form alliances, reduce tension, and signal safety.
Laughter activates brain regions tied to joy and social bonding. It’s contagious, healing, and profoundly human.
I’ve found myself crying more in recent years. Not just in moments of personal highs and lows, but also when someone says something deeply emotional, when I’m triggered by a past experience, or when I feel the hurt of someone else.
It’s not uncommon for me to well up. And I’ve come to see this not as a weakness, but as a strength, a sign that I’m connected, present, and human.
So what if we allowed ourselves to be more natural? To cry when we’re hurting, to laugh when we’re joyful, to express emotions in ways that are respectful, authentic, and human.
There is great dignity in crying, there is great power in laughter, and there is a deep connection in both.
Don’t be afraid to show your true feelings.
Let’s talk!
We Need To Cry As much As We Laugh!