What Are the 3 Types of Crying: Understanding Emotional, Reflex, and Basal Tears?

What Are the 3 Types of Crying? Understanding the Emotional Power of Tears

The Science Behind Crying: Why Do We Cry?

Crying is one of those emotional expressions that almost everyone experiences at some point. But have you ever stopped to think about why we cry or what different types of crying actually mean? It turns out there are different types of crying, each serving a unique purpose. And, honestly, I hadn’t really thought much about it until a recent conversation with my friend Sarah, who said, “I never really understood why some tears feel so different than others.” After diving into it a bit more, I realized just how fascinating the subject is.

Emotional Tears, Reflex Tears, and Basal Tears

The three types of crying are emotional tears, reflex tears, and basal tears. They all have distinct functions, but they also overlap in some ways. Let’s break them down, starting with the emotional type – the one that most of us are familiar with.

1. Emotional Tears: The Tears of the Heart

Emotional crying is what we most commonly think of when we think of crying. Whether it’s due to joy, sadness, frustration, or anger, emotional tears are a deep, personal reaction to an emotional experience.

Why Do We Cry When We’re Emotionally Overwhelmed?

Emotional tears happen when our emotions overwhelm us to the point that our body physically reacts. According to research, emotional crying can actually help reduce stress by releasing certain chemicals and hormones that build up when we’re upset. This is why, after a good cry, many people feel a bit lighter or calmer.

I’ll admit, I didn’t fully understand the whole "feeling better after crying" thing until I had a really intense emotional moment a few months ago. I had just gone through a tough breakup, and the flood of tears, while incredibly painful, made me feel like I could breathe again afterward. It was like releasing the pressure that had been building up inside.

2. Reflex Tears: The Tears That Protect

Reflex tears are quite different from emotional tears. These tears are produced in response to external irritants, like chopping onions or getting something in your eye. Reflex tears are part of your body’s defense mechanism, designed to flush out foreign particles and protect your eyes from potential harm.

How Do Reflex Tears Work?

When an irritant comes into contact with your eyes, sensory nerves send a signal to your brain, prompting it to produce reflex tears. These tears help to dilute and wash away the irritant, preventing further damage to your sensitive eye tissue.

I remember the first time I accidentally rubbed my eyes after cutting hot peppers. I swear, it felt like my entire face was on fire! Reflex tears were my only savior in that moment, and they helped soothe the burning sensation pretty quickly. But it's not just an onion-induced crisis—anything that irritates the eye, like smoke or dust, can trigger reflexive tearing.

3. Basal Tears: The Constant Guardians

Basal tears are the unsung heroes of your eye health. These tears are constantly produced to keep your eyes lubricated and protected. They help prevent dryness, wash away small particles, and even protect against infection.

Why Are Basal Tears Important?

Basal tears are essential for eye health because they create a protective layer over your cornea, ensuring that it remains moist and free from infection. They also help nourish your eyes and maintain clear vision. You probably don’t even notice basal tears because they’re working quietly in the background, but they’re doing a lot to keep your eyes comfortable.

I didn't fully appreciate the importance of basal tears until I experienced dry eye syndrome a while back. My eyes felt gritty and uncomfortable all the time, and I was surprised to learn how important those "invisible" tears were for keeping my eyes in top shape. A good balance of basal tears is crucial, and when that balance is disturbed, it can lead to all sorts of irritation and discomfort.

When Do These Types of Crying Overlap?

Now, you might be wondering: do these types of tears always stay in their own lane? Actually, sometimes they overlap. Emotional crying can trigger reflex tears—imagine crying from grief while also dealing with the irritation of a runny nose. Likewise, reflex tears can be produced in moments of intense emotional stress, like when you’re feeling overwhelmed but also dealing with physical discomfort. It’s a messy, yet fascinating, combination of physiological responses.

I think the overlap is one of the most interesting parts of crying. I remember crying during a stressful work deadline, and while my emotions were all over the place, my eyes were also watering from staring at the screen for hours. It’s almost like the body doesn’t just cry emotionally, but also throws in a little extra protection, just in case!

Conclusion: Crying Is More Complex Than We Think

In conclusion, crying is far more than just an emotional reaction—it’s a deeply complex, protective, and physiological process. From emotional tears that help release stress, to reflex tears that protect our eyes from irritants, and basal tears that maintain eye health, each type plays an essential role in keeping us healthy.

So, the next time you find yourself shedding tears, take a moment to appreciate what’s really happening beneath the surface. Whether you're crying from joy, frustration, or simply because of an onion, your body is doing a lot more than you might think. And, in a way, crying is just another reminder of how wonderfully intricate and resilient the human body is.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.