A "strange" practice that psychologists recommend doing while showering to relieve stress!

Psychologists have called for a “strange” trick to be followed while bathing to relieve stress: “crying.”

Experts revealed that "the shower is a relaxing place where we are often alone with only our thoughts, and many use this as an appropriate moment to reflect on the day, perform a singing performance, or for some, to express their feelings through shedding tears."

Dr Amber Johnston, Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist at Healthy Mind Psychology and consultant Georgina Stormer, explain why people cry in the bathroom, and why it's good for you.

Crying in the shower is good for the mind and body, says Dr. Johnston. “You can see a huge effect of a hot shower and crying to release tension in the body and mind, return the body to a state of greater relaxation, and boost chemicals that help you feel connected and improve your mood. After this experience, you may feel better, more relaxed, and perhaps ready to sleep. Or, in addition, a quick sip of cold water after a few moments of crying may help to energize the body, and get you ready to continue the day.”

Dr. Stormer added: “We experience all kinds of emotions throughout the day. We often need to explore or express these feelings. Crying is a natural way to rid our bodies of our repressed emotions and calm ourselves. But we do not always feel comfortable shedding tears when we need to. “We feel that our tears are inappropriate, embarrassing, or a sign of weakness. This often depends on the messages we have internalized as we grow older, or the expectations of society around us, and this can lead us to find a special moment in which we feel we can connect with our emotions and let the tears flow.” .

Many people find themselves moved to tears when they go to the bathroom, which makes them wonder why the bathroom is such a comforting place for them. “When we are in the bathroom, it is an opportunity to get away from the distractions of everyday life,” says Georgina. “In a world where we are connected 24/7, the shower can be one of the few places where we can just be with ourselves. This sense of privacy and connection can help us feel comfortable getting in touch with our emotions.”

Crying is often seen as negative, but Dr. Amber Johnston says crying has its benefits. “Tears themselves can work to flush out too much of the stress hormone (cortisol) or extra toxins,” she says. “By flushing cortisol out of the system, crying is associated with activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (or relaxation response), the opposite of the fight-or-flight response, and is therefore a natural antidote to heightened stress.”

She continued, saying that crying “releases natural endorphins that can improve mood or act as a natural pain reliever, and also leads to a greater feeling of relaxation (or perhaps sleepiness) after a good cry.”