Why do we cry?

Maybe you cried when you bumped your knee, or when you felt sad, or even when you laughed too hard. Crying is something everybody does. But why do we make tears at all?

Tears keep your eyes clean

Your eyes need to stay wet and smooth all the time, like a window that is always being wiped. Tiny drops of tears spread across your eyes every time you blink. They wash away dust and keep your eyes from getting dry and itchy.

If a speck of dirt or an eyelash gets in, your eyes make extra tears in a hurry to rinse it right out. Clever, isn’t it?

Tears help with big feelings

We also cry when we feel big feelings inside. When you are very sad, scared, or even super happy, your body can let some of that feeling out through tears.

Crying is a healthy, normal thing to do. After a good cry, many people feel a little calmer and lighter, as if some of the heavy feeling has flowed away.

It is okay to cry

Everyone cries — grown-ups too. If you feel like crying, that is your body saying it needs a moment. A hug and a kind word can help a lot.

Wonder fact: Scientists think humans may be the only animals that cry tears because of feelings. Other animals seem to make tears only to keep their eyes wet!