When my Dad passed away few years ago, I cried a lot. It was not the instant crying but happened after initial few days. In beginning, I was more involved with the various rituals, that kept me occupied but once the phase was over, I cried uncontrollably. I think it helps me a lot in getting rid of my pain and sorrow. Seeing a men crying has always considered to be a taboo in our society. But I guess the situation, in which I was crying was the best remedy to get over the pain and the sorrow of losing the loved one. Crying does helps us to relieve and putting focus on our life.
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Pretending to be okay is exhausting
Crying is a therapeutic, normal, and healthy way for any human being to process emotions. The idea that crying makes a man less masculine is a harmful stereotype. In contrast, being emotionally in tune is a sign of strength. Men can cry during moments of sadness, joy, or high emotion, such as weddings, funerals, or moving moments. In my insane, it was not the first time I cried, I cried many a times on different occasion for different reasons. Men are increasingly encouraged to break the stereotype of "staying strong" and to embrace emotional expression as a way to avoid burnout and maintain mental health. Suppressing our tears just to appear more string and masculine can have the opposite effect, potentially negatively impacting mood. Expressing emotions through tears can improve communication, enhance emotional intelligence, and help in fostering empathy. Crying helps release pent-up emotions, such as anger and sadness, which reduces overall stress and helps manage intense feelings like anxiety or extreme joy. It acts as a natural, self-soothing mechanism that triggers the body to relax and recover. I felt much better once I cried at the time of sorrow.
The hardest battles are the ones you fight alone
Our age old societal norms often dictate that men should be stoic and self reliant. However, breaking down is not a sign of weakness, rather, it is a human response that allows for the processing of grief, trauma, and stress. Bottling up feelings often causes a "pressure cooker" effect, resulting in explosive anger, irritability, or complete emotional numbness. Repressing emotions is linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide in men. letting down one's guard allows for emotional healing and genuine connection, making it a crucial component of long-term well-being and, ultimately, a more powerful and authentic form of masculinity. I personally belive that men should not be rigid in controlling their emotion, rather must speak up to get rid of the pain. And every men should understand the situation and helps a person in such situation to get over and refocus.
Handling a grown man crying involves recognizing that it is a normal human response to overwhelming emotion. Here is how to handle the situation :
Simply staying with them is often the most important support
Offer Privacy to avoid making mess of the situation
A hand on the shoulder, a pat on the back, or a hug can be very grounding
Having a shoulder to cry on is important for emotional support, stress reduction, and mood relaxation. When you're feeling sad, sharing your feelings or crying with someone you trust can be comforting.
In good faith - Peace!!
