Japanese author and entrepreneur Hiroki Terai ventured into the crying business after he encountered women who struggled to process their divorces emotionally.
The “licensed professional tear therapists” reportedly started this business because the legal process of divorce was so overwhelming that people didn’t have a chance to deal with it emotionally.
READ MORE: This woman blew up her wedding dress as a declaration of liberation after her divorce
The Atlantic reported that after this, Hiroki felt that more people could probably benefit from cry therapy services for those seeking catharsis after a life-changing event.
According to Refinery29, women paid about $62 (R 885) and could receive the services over the phone.
A short film by filmmaker Darryl Thoms shows women watching a video, crying and having their tears wiped away by Okinawan musician, Ryuei, referred to as the “handsome man”. Ryuei says he guides and supports the women during the crying sessions.
READ MORE: Women get better sleep if they sleep next to their dog as opposed to human partnersIn the film he says, “As an Okinawan musician I like to give relaxation and healing to people through music. Especially in Japan, usually people do not express their emotions.”
This is not foreign concept to imagine.
In our society, crying isn’t seen as a desirable trait. People who cry a lot are seen as weak (especially at work), overly emotional and messy.
READ MORE: Are you playing the game that’s causing 5% of all divorces in the UK?
I mean, if you’re doing well in life there shouldn’t be a reason to cry, right? Yet, the reality is that crying is good for us.
Crying reduces stress and it's a healthy response to anger/frustration and sorrow.
Studies show that 88% of people feel better after crying.
READ MORE: Study suggests 6 in 10 women prefer the company of men over women
Here are 5 reasons crying is good for your health:
1. You don’t care what others think
The fact that you're willing to cry shows how little you care about what other people think and that is not a weakness. Overcoming judgment is strength.
2. Crying a lot means you are brave
It takes a brave person to allow their emotions to be exposed in front of other people.
Crying means that you are knowingly inviting people into your heart at the risk of being judged or belittled. So if you take the risk of exposing your emotions to others, you are brave.
3. Shedding tears can flush out toxins
According to a study performed by Dr. William H. Frey of St Paul-Ramsey Medical Centre, tears help your body get rid of its toxins that raise the stress hormone, meaning that you feel a whole lot better after you've cried.
''Crying is an exocrine process, that is, a process in which a substance comes out of the body. Other exocrine processes, like exhaling, urinating, defecating and sweating, release toxic substances from the body. There's every reason to think crying does the same, releasing chemicals that the body produces in response to stress,'' The NYTimes reports.
4. You can finally stop suffering
There’s nothing greater than being able to face your feelings.
Coming to terms with our problems help us learn how to handle different situations. If we avoid them they will eventually catch up with us.
5. Confronting your feelings make you move forward in life
Sometimes life shows us flames and we go through things we never imagined. But guess what? We are allowed to be emotional, when you address pain you finally put your heart and head at ease.
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