YOUR BODY ON tears

Crying is nature’s way of helping you express strong feelings, let off emotional steam and reboot. Here’s what’s going on when tears flow.

BRAIN

Stress hormones, adrenalin and cortisol are released. They trigger a pea-sized gland in your brain called the hypothalamus to send chemical ‘cry now’ messages to glands near your eyes.

EYES

Just above the eyes, your small almond shaped lacrimal glands start to produce teardrops. In a few minutes they can pump out more than half a cup of tears.

NOSE

Your tears drain via small ducts from your eyelids to your nasal cavity. This is why you need to blow your nose after a good weep.

THROAT

Muscles in your throat tense and widen the glottis (an opening between your vocal cords) to let more oxygen in. This widening can feel like you have a lump in your throat.

HEART

The fight or flight stress response kicks in, increasing your heart rate.

BREATH

Emotional distress leads you to breathe faster and more often. This hyperventilation may leave you feeling a little light-headed.

SKIN

Your temperature rises. This can lead you to perspire and make your cheeks appear blotchy.