And guess what? THIS IS PERFECTLY NORMAL, EVEN HEALTHY BEHAVIOR! In this culture, we feel the need to apologize for tears. We stuff down our emotions, and do our best to act competent all the time. We are in the midst of the SEVENTH week of quarentine. If you are feeling perfectly ok emotionally right now, you are either heavily medicated, or in complete denial.

Crying can have some of the same health benefits of laughing. It serves as an emotional release valve, and can reset your stress levels. It can decrease blood pressure, elevate your immune system, cleanse toxins from your body, AND strengthen your relationships if you are brave enough to be vulnerable in the presence of a safe person.

When is the last time you cried? Many of you would probably say yesterday, but I bet a lot of you cannot remember the last time. And those pent up emotions are building up higher and higher against the retaining wall you built in your soul. Give yourself permission to admit you are not ok and the grace to have a few minutes to indulge in those feelings of frustration, despair, or lonliness.

I have another friend who schedules a regular “cry night” with herself. She gets a tray full of indulgent snacks, a box of kleenex, and a sappy chick flick, and gives herself permission to… feel things. Perhaps it’s time for you to do the same?