Crying is considered beneficial for health in several ways. Here are some reasons why:

1. Emotional Release: Crying serves as an emotional release mechanism. It allows us to process and express complex feelings such as sadness, grief, frustration, or joy. By giving ourselves permission to cry, we acknowledge and cope with these emotions rather than suppressing them, which can prevent emotional build-up and reduce stress.
2. Stress Relief: Tears produced during emotional crying contain higher levels of stress hormones. Researchers have found that shedding tears could be a way for the body to eliminate excess stress hormones like cortisol, helping to restore emotional balance.
3. Mood Improvement: Crying can lead to an improvement in mood after the episode. It may act as a natural soothing mechanism by stimulating the production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators.
4. Social Support: Crying often elicits support and empathy from others, fostering social bonding and providing comfort, which is vital for mental health.
5. Physical Relaxation: The act of crying can cause muscle relaxation. After a good cry, people often report feeling physically relaxed or exhausted, which can aid sleep and recovery.
6. Eye Health: Basal tears (the everyday type of tears) keep eyes lubricated and healthy. While emotional tears might not directly benefit eye health, they still moisten the eyes, potentially washing away irritants.
7. Therapeutic Effect: For individuals undergoing therapy or counseling, crying can be a significant step towards healing and self-understanding, contributing to overall psychological well-being.

Overall, crying is a natural and healthy response to various emotional states and can contribute positively to both physical and emotional health when experienced and managed appropriately. However, persistent or uncontrollable crying might be indicative of a more serious emotional issue and should be addressed with a healthcare professional.