We all cry at some point in our lives. Some people, however, cry more than others and are usually perceived as weak. Whereas, those who don’t cry much and are always either in-control or happy are considered as confident and happy people. The fact is that crying is a natural human response to other emotions like joy, grief, sadness, anger, etc. And as opposed to popular belief, people who cry more have a better mental and emotional health.

Here’s why crying has its own health benefits:

Crying has a soothing effect

Crying lowers the stress levels and makes one feel more calm and composed. A study conducted in 2014 found that crying may have a direct effect on people as crying stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which aids in relaxing.

Pain reliever

In addition to soothing, crying when emotional releases oxytocin and endorphins, which are actually ‘feel-good’ hormones and ease both physical and emotional pain. Hence, shedding tears can reduce our pain levels and enhance a sense of well-being.

Reduces stress and detoxifies

When we cry in response to stress, the tears contain a number of stress hormones and other chemicals. Many researchers have believed that crying could reduce the levels of these chemicals in our body, which in turn, reduces the levels of stress.

Fights bacteria

Crying aids in killing bacteria and keeping the eyes clean as tears contain a fluid called lysozyme. A study conducted in 2011 found that lysozyme has powerful antimicrobial properties and that it could even help to reduce risks presented by bioterror agents, such as anthrax.

Communication skills play a vital role in our lives. It affects many aspects of our lives from a professional career to social behaviour and relationships. Good communication skills not only helps you in maintaining a good image and relationships but also increases the likelihood of getting what you want in life. Especially in today’s world, when we are depending heavily on sharing information, greater emphasis is paid on good communication skills, so that it becomes easier to deliver and understand information quickly and accurately. Hence, good communication skills are crucial and should not be avoided.

On the contrary, poor communication skills can have a negative impact on us. Not only this, but a poorly delivered message may result in misunderstanding, frustration and in some cases disaster. To communicate accurately is to be understood and understand.

Here are a few 3 easy tips to improve your communication skills:

1. Become an active listener

Listening is an important element of communication and is often neglected. A good listener asks questions, respect people's right to disagree, and know when to offer advice and help. Here are ways to become an active listener:

• Let people talk: Don’t interrupt, when someone talks to you about something important or difficult, with your story even if it is relevant. Let people finish talking and then take your turn.
• Don't judge others
• Know that people might disagree with you
• Ask open questions: Rather than asking ‘yes/no’ questions, use open questions that let the speaker take the discussion in the direction they want. For example: ‘Can you tell me about...?’
• Show them you're listening: You can do so by asking questions about what they tell you, and recap what they’ve said in different words to see if you've got it right. People will trust you more if they know you're really listening to them.

2. Be an assertive communicator

Mainly there are three ways to communicate:

Aggressive communication involves speaking in a forceful and hostile manner that alienates others

Passive communication is characterised by not expressing your thoughts, feelings or wishes. This form of communication can make you feel like others are walking all over you.

Assertive communication involves clearly expressing what you think, how you feel and what you want, without demanding that you must have things your way.

When you are assertive, you can:

• express your own thoughts, feelings, and needs
• make reasonable requests of other people (while respecting their right to say ‘no’)
• stand up for your own rights
• say ‘no’ to requests from others, without feeling guilty

3.Mind your body language

The way you speak which also involves the volume and tone of your voice, physical gestures, and your facial expressions has an immense impact on how your message will be deciphered. For example, if you fold your arms in front of your chest and look stern, people are likely to feel defensive even before they’ve heard what you have to say.

On the other hand, an open posture, calm voice, and relaxed body language will help the other person feel at ease.

Remember ROLES, an acronym that might help you remember good body language:

R – Be relaxed and comfortable, and don't fidget

O – Adopt an open posture

L – Lean towards the person – not too much, but just enough to show interest

E – Maintain eye contact, without staring

S – Face the person squarely