Tears are a traditional response to moments of ache, grief, and disappointment. But it’s additionally not unusual to search out folks sniffling into their handkerchiefs on blissful events, akin to weddings, graduations, or upon studying a few hard-earned promotion.

This begs the query: why can we cry after we’re blissful?

As infants and infants, crying is known as a mandatory behavioral act to solicit care and help. Transitioning into maturity, we discover tears to be triggered by a wider vary of feelings.

If you end up tearing up at occasions which might be anticipated to elicit extra smiles than tears, listed here are three theories that can assist you perceive why.

#1. Your repressed emotions are triggered

No second or occasion happens as an remoted incident. Any milestone achieved or impediment overcome is a results of a protracted journey.

To reap the advantages of your labor, you will have in all probability endured extended stress and fought to beat roadblocks which have possible been left unprocessed within the strain to maintain shifting ahead. It is thus potential that crying is the top response to a cascade of triggered, forgotten feelings.

This could also be very true when milestones or achievements deliver with them a tinge of hysteria. Here are two examples:

1. A father or mother might discover themselves teary-eyed at their youngster’s wedding ceremony as a result of they’re concurrently blissful for his or her youngster’s new starting but additionally nervous about dropping them to this alteration.
2. An particular person graduating from scholar to worker may be ecstatic about their educational deserves whereas additionally pressured about performing on the new job and/or shifting away from their buddies.

#2. You are attempting to speak and join

Overwhelming feelings can result in knotted throats and brain-freeze moments. When one struggles with a lack of phrases, tears turn out to be a supply of communication.

A study revealed in Frontiers in Psychology emphasizes how seeing one cry with tears rolling down their cheeks compels viewers to willingly supply consolation and empathetic assist. Responding with care and kindness when seeing somebody underneath duress is a primary human intuition.

Another study additional breaks down the communicative nature of crying, displaying that there are 4 primary the explanation why folks shed constructive tears. They are:

1. Achievement tears. Expressing emotions of delight for somebody overcoming obstacles or appreciating extraordinary feats or achievements
2. Beauty tears. Expressing awe when within the presence of unparalleled class, whether or not in folks, artwork, music, or nature
3. Affectionate tears. Expressing heartfelt gratitude for acts of sudden kindness and/or gestures of affection
4. Amusement tears. Responding to an particularly humorous state of affairs and accompanied with laughter and giggles (i.e., “I’m laughing so hard I’m crying”)

Happy tears sometimes convey a touching story or heartfelt second with onlookers, the widespread denominator being the powerlessness and helplessness felt by all within the expanse of the feelings created.

#3. It helps you’re feeling higher, bodily

Mental well being advocates have labored tirelessly to normalize crying as a wholesome coping mechanism, citing its many chemical and hormonal advantages akin to the discharge of ‘happy hormones’ like oxytocin and endorphins.

The bodily act of releasing an emotion out of the physique, whether or not constructive or unfavourable, helps obtain bodily and emotional homeostasis, suggests research revealed in Emotion Review.

Conclusion

Tears of pleasure are a pure and sophisticated expression of our emotional experiences. Holding on to the false notion that crying is an undesirable, unfavourable emotional state can go away you feeling confused about your tears of pleasure when, the truth is, they’re fully regular and even wholesome.

However, if you end up breaking down in response to small triggers and/or really feel embarrassed by your lack of ability to manage your feelings, it may be useful to see a psychological well being skilled to uncover the roots of your issues.