I Wish More People Knew About This Underrated Stress Relief

Let's talk about crying ✨

My partner, Dimitris, and I have been together for over five years. In that time, we’ve learned a lot. About each other, about communication, and honestly, about ourselves too.

One thing I really had to teach him early on was how to hold space for me when I cry.

I remember the first time I cried in front of him. I was upset about a conflict I'd had with someone else. He immediatly tried to comfort me by saying, “don’t cry, it’s okay.” Which was well-meaning, of course. But just not very helpful for me in that moment.

I said “No, just let me cry. I need this.”

It took a little while, but he learned that when I cry, I’m not asking to be fixed. I just need to feel what I’m feeling. And now, when it happens, he knows: just hold me, or sit with me, or say nothing at all. To just be there. That’s more than enough.

I don’t cry very often. But over the years — both through studying psychology and well-being, and just through life — I’ve learned that crying can actually be a healthy release. It’s something I’ve had to learn for myself too.

Lately, though, I’ve been extra teary. Pregnancy hormones are no joke. 😅

A few weeks ago, right before I was supposed to teach a restorative yoga class, I slammed my finger in a door. It hurt so much. Luckily, another teacher was there and could step in for me (because “ouch” isn’t exactly the restorative vibe).

As I walked home, I tried to hold it together. But halfway there, I just let go. I cried the rest of the walk home. Partly from the pain, but also from everything else that had built up.

And honestly? It felt good. Messy, but good.

Crying is one of the body’s ways of releasing stress.

Research shows that emotional tears contain stress hormones like cortisol, and crying can activate the parasympathetic nervous system — the part of the body that helps us calm down after stress.

In other words: crying can be healing. I wish more people knew this.

I’ve also learned that we don’t always have to fully understand or explain our tears. Sometimes they’re just the body’s way of saying, “something needs to move.” Whether it’s sadness, relief, joy, or a mix of everything at once.

Crying is not something to be embarrassed about or something we need to stop others from doing. Sometimes, it’s the most honest thing our body can do.

From time to time, I see people cry in my workshops and yoga classes, maybe during pigeon pose or shavasana. It’s something I’m always happy to hold space for, because all feelings are welcome in my sessions.

If I notice it, I might gently check in afterward to make sure it wasn’t overwhelming. And to just make sure they feel seen and supported. But I also trust that the body knows what it needs to release.

So here’s my gentle invitation for you: Next time you feel tears coming up — yours or someone else’s — welcome them. Because crying might just be the stress relief your body needs.

What do you think? I’d love to hear what you discover! My email inbox and Instagram DMs are open, as always.

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