Exercise Three
Crying is our body’s way of taking care of us when we are in pain.
Did you know that crying releases oxytocin, our body’s natural pain killer? That’s right, despite how uncomfortable it may feel to cry, crying is actually a literal pain reliever, and is here to help you regulate.
Create some comfortable space for yourself to cry. You don’t have to hold it in, or put on a brave face.
Surround yourself with comfort items, like blankets, tea, favorite media, books, or music, an animal companion, or a safe friend should you have one, and let your body grieve.
Culturally, crying has been stigmatized, to the great detriment of our own ability to cope with grief. Let it out.
