Psychologist Reveals Why 74% of People Cry in the Shower

Research has shown that women cry an average of 5.3 times a month, while men cry much less at 1.3 times a month1. But where do most of us find ourselves letting it all out? The answer for many is the shower.

With this in mind, the bathroom experts at Showers to You spoke to psychologists and counsellors to discover why we cry in the shower and reveal its benefits.

Read below for insights from Dr Amber Johnston, Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist at Healthy Mind Psychology and Georgina Sturmer, Counsellor, MBACP.

Key insights:

• Crying in the shower could be triggered by being comfortable and alone

• Crying in the shower can boost your mood

• Cold showers can help with learning to adapt to stress to build physical and psychological resilience

• Hot showers can release oxytocin, relax muscles and reduce pain

Why do we cry in the shower?

If you find yourself crying in the shower, you’re not alone as Showers to You revealed that 74% of people around the globe find themselves doing just that.

The shower is a comforting space where we often are alone with just our thoughts, many use this as the opportune moment to reflect on the day, sing Grammy-worthy performances or for some, let out their emotions through shedding tears.

Dr Amber Johnston, Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist at Healthy Mind Psychology explains the benefits of crying in the shower for mind and body:

“It is possible to see an exponential effect of hot showers and crying to release the tension in the body and mind, return the body to a state of greater relaxation, and foster the chemicals that help feel connected and lift mood. After this experience, a person may be in a better, relaxed state, possibly ready for sleep. Or additionally, a quick shot of cold water following the crying moments may help invigorate the body, ready to get on with the day.”

Counsellor Georgina Sturmer breaks down just why we save it for the shower:

“We experience all kinds of emotions all day long. And we often have a need to explore or express these feelings. Crying is a natural way for our bodies to release our pent up feelings and to calm ourselves down.

But yet we don’t always feel comfortable to shed tears when we need to. We might feel that our tears are inappropriate, or embarrassing, or a sign of weakness. This is often based on messages that we absorbed when we were growing up, or the expectations of society around us. So this can lead us to find a private moment when we feel that we can connect with our emotions and allow our tears to flow.”

Many people find themselves triggered to cry when they step into the shower leaving them wondering why the shower is such a cathartic place for them, Georgina says:

“When we are in the shower, it’s an opportunity to step away from the distractions of everyday life. In a world where we are connected 24/7, and ‘on show’ much of the time, a shower might be one of the few places where we are truly just with ourselves. This sense of privacy and connection can help us to feel comfortable to connect with our emotions.”

Is crying good for you?

Crying is often considered to be a negative and something many people try to hold in or run away from, especially out of embarrassment. Dr Amber Johnston discusses some of the reasons why crying has its benefits.

1. Reduces cortisol

“The tears themselves can act like a detox of too much stress hormone (cortisol) or additional toxins. With the release of cortisol out of the body system, crying is linked to activating the parasympathetic nervous system (or the Relaxation Response), which is opposite of the fight or flight response, and therefore a natural antidote to a heightened tension state.”

2. Releases endorphins

Crying “releases natural endorphins which can both elevate mood or act as natural pain killers, as well as lead to a greater sense of relaxation (or maybe sleepiness) following a good cry.”

3. Stimulates the vagus nerve

“Crying is linked to activating the parasympathetic nervous system (or the Relaxation Response), which is opposite of the fight or flight response, and therefore a natural antidote to a heightened tension state.”

How can showering be a mood booster?

Showering for many is a therapeutic experience and is often used to calm down or boost moods. These benefits differ depending on the shower temperature Amber notes.

Hot shower benefits

• Helps with muscle relaxation and alleviates muscle pain or tension

• It can release oxytocin, a chemical for feeling better

• Post hot shower the body cools to a temperature conducive for sleep, letting you wind down easier

Cold shower benefits

• It can release dopamine, stimulating a boost of energy and attentional focus leaving a feel-good effect

• Cold showers can release endorphins to improve mood

• Cold water can improve circulation and increase heart rate, reducing fatigue and inflammation

• It helps build physical and psychological resilience

Credit the experts at https://www.showerstoyou.co.uk/baths for their commentary.