Crying over movies is great!

Admit it, you can cry when watching a movie? If yes, don’t be embarrassed. No need to be ashamed of your emotions and hide them from others.

In empathy

Those who cry over films have an ability that not everyone has developed. It’s called empathy. This is the ability to enter into the state of another person, to recognize and understand his feelings and moods. Imagine yourself in his place, see the situation through his eyes.

Some are born and live without the slightest sign of empathy. They don’t know what it’s like to truly empathize with others, because it’s a special gift. Compassion and sympathy is not easy, and there is something more behind these words. In essence, being empathic means being resilient enough not only to endure the pain of others, but to feel it as keenly as the other.

Our ability to experience empathy suggests that we feel the same as others, and we have enough strength for ourselves and for them. Feel free to sincerely empathize with someone else’s grief, even if you are just a fictional screen hero.

You are not alone!

According to studies, about 92% of people have cried at least once while watching movies. This gives hope. Isn’t it great to know that “Bambi”, “Braveheart” or “The Notebook” brought tears to so many viewers?

Writers and directors really strive to awaken our senses and very often achieve their goal. And if the movie touches to the core, we, in general, have nothing to do with it. When we watch action-packed exciting movies, the body releases oxytocin, a hormone recognized as the most powerful neurotransmitter. What happens to us when we experience its effects?

“Oxytocin makes us more responsive to the social cues that are around us. In most cases, it is these signals that make us help others, especially if we notice that someone is in trouble. Watch movies, laugh and cry. This is not only good for the brain, but also inspires us to change for the better and do more good, ”says Paul J. Zack, neuroeconomist at Claremont Graduate School.

Personal experience and Stendhal syndrome

We can cry to our heart’s content while the movie is on, but we still understand that this is just an acting game, and after the session we quickly come to our senses. There is something else important in this ability: people who cry over films are not only strong, but also wise enough to distinguish fiction from reality.

Sometimes it happens to cry when the hero is in the same place where we have been. These are tears of memories. There are other tears, caused by the overwhelming reverence for the artistic genius of the film. This phenomenon is called the Stendhal syndrome and implies that works of art can affect our emotional and physical state with extraordinary power.

About the benefits of tears

Tears are a beautiful manifestation of the power and breadth of human emotion. We cry from both intense pain and intense joy. No wonder so many of us reach for a handkerchief not only during tragic scenes, but also in moments of happiness and triumph.

We would hardly know the relief that tears bring if we never had to hold back emotions and hide feelings. Crying isn’t so bad, at least once in a while. It is useful to reduce stress, and even boost your mood.

But not allowing yourself to “go limp” is just harmful: the level of stress is growing, which will sooner or later affect physical health. In addition, without tears, we would literally go blind: they help maintain vision. Tears are a vital moisturizer for the eyelids and eyeballs, which ensures the sharpness and clarity of the look, literally and figuratively.

So: if someday you come across a movie again that will pinch your nose, do not hold back, cry to your health!