What good is the warmth of summer without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?
John Steinbeck
July is the perfect time of year to enjoy a day at the lake, a barbecue spread, summer vacation, outside parties, and picnics. July 1 brings Canada Day, once called Dominion Day, a day we in Clinton celebrate at Reg Conn Park. The Clinton Seniors’ Association had its annual Yard Sale that day at the Clinton Seniors’ Centre, and it went very well. Ross Tapping won the Cookie Guessing Game, and Charlene Boscott won the Peel ’n’ Pay Raffle prize. Thank you to all who supported this endeavour.
I just read an article about crying, and I thought I should share some parts of it with you this month. I can still hear my dad when we were crying because we couldn’t have something we wanted, or couldn’t go somewhere we wanted to go, or couldn’t otherwise get our own way. He’d say, quite sternly, “That’s enough, or I’ll give you something to cry about.” I often wondered what that meant, as I already had something to cry about! Over time I realized he meant he’d give us a smack or a spanking if we didn’t shut up; the threat of a smack for crying!
Author Victor M. Parachin states “While many people try to hide their tears for fear of looking weak, crying has numerous benefits for our overall general mental and physical health.”
There are some people who immediately put up emotional barriers, forcing themselves to be strong when they experience frustration, loss, sadness, or stress. Others, however, give themselves permission to shed tears, so they cry away some of the pain and generally end up feeling better.
Crying is not my first response. However, several years ago, after a particularly sad loss, the tears I had been holding in for a very long time finally broke out, and I have to admit that was the turning point. I began to heal. Strangely, I am often teary when singing the national anthem at an event; at least, I get a lump in my throat and feel very emotional.
There are health benefits to crying, according to Mr. Parachin. Crying is an important safety valve, because keeping difficult feelings inside can lead to greater issues, including a less resilient immune system, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and other health conditions including stress, anxiety, and depression. Crying improves one’s mood.
Scientists categorize three different types of fluid in tears. The purpose of “reflex tears” and “continuous tears” is to remove irritants from your eyes, to lubricate them, and to prevent infection. The third category, “emotional tears”, flush toxins out of the body and release endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals which ease physical and emotional pain.
Crying activates the parasympathetic nervous system, an important part of the human nervous system which helps the body rest, relax, and release. Weeping elicits sympathy and support from the people around us, which is an interpersonal or social benefit. Crying can help you to heal faster and move on. In crying you honour your own needs and sensitivities, and that is a critical part of self-care.
Shedding some tears is a great stress reliever, and much healthier than turning to alcohol or drugs to get relief.
When we are able to cry in front of others we allow them to see a different side of us: one which is softer, gentler, sensitive, vulnerable, and uninhibited. Through these emotions a deeper, stronger bond can be established between ourselves, family, and friends. As adults we often find it difficult to ask for and receive help. This social support makes us feel better generally.
A person almost always feels calmer after a good cry. Breathing stabilizes, heart rate decreases, and blood pressure lowers. Crying helps us learn about ourselves. We often turn away from unpleasant emotions and suppress them. Crying is what helps us to recognize that something is awry, and bids us look more closely at ourselves and the source of pain.
It can even become a spiritual practice. We weep with gratitude, we weep over shared moments of great joy with others. Tears enable us to get in touch with our deepest feelings; enable us to express our grief at endings and the loss of those who are precious to us.
In summary, as well as making you feel better, a good cry has additional benefits that facilitate eye health for the following reasons:
* eyes need to remain moist to be healthy;
* tears contain essential enzymes which help to resist infection;
* crying cleans the eyes of environmental irritants and debris;
* tears release antibodies which protect against disease; and
* tears have immune components, making those who don’t produce tears more prone to problems.
So, when you feel tears welling up inside you, don’t hold back. Go ahead, baby, and cry. There’s nothing wrong with crying.
Seniors from the Clinton Seniors’ Association and Clinton Creek Estates had a very fine day at Hat Creek Ranch on June 13, beginning with an excellent lunch, a ride in a stagecoach, and a good tour of the buildings and grounds. We travelled on the community bus. It was a wonderful outing.
Welcome to Brian and Rachel Doddridge and their children, Beatrice and Evangeline! Brian is the new CAO for the Village of Clinton. We hope you enjoy your tenure here.
The Clinton Seniors’ Association wishes to acknowledge and thank the Clinton and District Community Forest for the recent generous funding grant. Your generosity is very much appreciated.
Meetings of the Clinton Seniors’ Association have adjourned for the summer. The next regular meeting is on Sept. 21 at the Seniors’ Centre, so come and join us!
Enjoy the summer. Pray we are spared from wildfires.
Happy Birthday to Helene Cade (July 22).
It’s never too late to be what you might have been.
George Eliot
editorial@accjournal.ca
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