184 | Holding Back Tears: How to Resist Crying

Why We Do What We Do · Nov 18, 2020 · 55m

Although surveys show that men do tend to cry more than women, that disparity disappears when you examine cultures in which crying is not considered taboo. Humans are unique in that we cry and have intense emotional reactions to symbolic events and not just mechanically as a response to an irritant. We discuss how the lacrimal system excretes (fun word) tears and how and why we cry. Although we don't recommend you try to resist crying unless your safety depends on it, we do review some strategies to hold back those tears. But let's all agree that people should feel safe to experience and…