Crying may aid in the regulation breathing during stressful situations, suggests a study in Emotion. Researchers randomly assigned 197 female undergraduate students in Australia to watch sad or emotionally neutral videos for 17 minutes. About half of the participants who watched the sad videos ended up crying. Those who cried during the sad videos maintained more stable breathing and heart rate than those who did not cry in response to either the sad or neutral videos. However, contrary to predictions, the researchers found no differences among the participants in their cortisol levels or in their responses to a subsequent physical stress test in which they placed one of their hands in very cold water. (Monitor on Psychology)

Susie Bean Gives