Health

The next time someone admonishes you for shedding a tear, requesting you "not to make a scene", fling this story in their face. Though society may discourage adults, especially men, from venting emotions, since it's seen as a sign of weakness and lack of courage, research says it's healthy to weep. Suppressing your tears may be doing more harm than good. Crying is actually cathartic, and helps vent the angst most of us experience. It also acts as a mood enhancer, and the flushed-out toxins leave you feeling happier.

Emo tears different from irritation tears
In 1957, it was discovered that emotional tears are chemically different from tears that result due to an eye irritation. According to Dr William H Frey, a researcher at the St Paul-Ramsey Medical Center in Minnesota, emotionally-induced tears contain protein-based hormones as well as leucine enkephalin, a natural painkiller.

Women are programmed to weep
Statistics reveal that women cry four times more than men do, because they secrete 60% more prolan, which they must eliminate by crying.

Weeping has its benefits

>>It reduces tension, flushes out toxins and increases the body's ability to heal itself.
>>We feel better after crying, since we might be releasing chemicals that build up during emotional stress.
>>It relieves you of pent up emotions, thus reducing stress levels.
>>It helps you forget a hurtful experience. By crying, you forget the seriousness of the event.
>>Since it relieves you of stress, your blood pressure levels fall.
>>People who hold back their tears, are more likely to snap, suffer from depression and other stress-related illnesses.

Why do men say, I hate tears?

Juhi Parmar TV Actor
It's a prestige issue for them Men don't cry easily because they are made that way. It becomes a prestige issue for them. It's all about the male ego.

Tanaaz Irani Theatre actor
Not sensitive like us, are selfish Men think they will be labelled effeminate, if they express their emotions. Men are not as sensitive as women are, and can be quite selfish.

Pooja Bedi TV Host
They want to but aren't allowed to It is about social conditioning. They want to cry, but since they have to appear tough, they don't. It's a redundant and invalid point of view.

Nausheen ali sardar TV Actor
Men are conditioned not to they are taught it's girlie to cry, since they were kids. So, it becomes part of their sub-conscious mind.

What does the expert say?

Maya Kirpalani, Consultant Psychologist and Family Therapist, Jaslok and Bhatia Hospital
As head of the family, the man is expected to be cool rather than express emotion during a crisis. He's seen as the stronger sex. Indian society makes it easier and acceptable for a woman to cry, than for a man to break down.

What's the problem with that?
By doing this, men are suppressing the grief they are experiencing. This could lead to psychosomatic problems in the future. When they face a similar situation later, a torrent of feelings may rage, which can get out of control.

Too much is not good
Extended periods of crying may be a symptom of depression. It is usually accompanied by changes in eating and sleeping patterns.

All the men I know, cry

Archana Puran Singh, Actor
Any compassionate human being, irrespective of gender, can't steer clear of expressing emotions. Today's men are compassionate and evolved. I encourage both my sons to talk about their feelings, and weep if they feel like. I have seen my husband cry, and I am proud of it.

Janet Jackson cries a river
The pop singer was overcome with emotion at the launch of her Rock Witchu tour in Vancouver, Canada. She sobbed on stage during a fan-appreciation session because she was blown away by the overwhelming response.