This past month in my office, I’ve seen many tears, prompting reflection on what they signify. New Year’s Eve often serves as a temporal landmark, a psychological marker that encourages intense self-evaluation. The post-holiday period can trigger financial stress, loneliness, and anxiety over unmet resolutions, making January a particularly emotionally challenging time.

Biological factors also contribute to this vulnerability. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression linked to seasonal changes, typically emerges in the fall and winter due to reduced sunlight exposure. SAD affects up to 9 to 10 percent of individuals in northern regions, while only about 1 to 2 percent are affected in sunnier areas such as Los Angeles. Even without meeting diagnostic criteria, many people experience seasonal shifts in mood and emotional regulation, making winter a difficult period for emotional balance.

In my practice, I encourage patients to cry. Crying serves as an essential emotional release, yet many people find it surprisingly difficult. From early childhood, we are often taught (explicitly or implicitly) to suppress emotional expression. Cultural and familial norms dictate when and how crying is acceptable, creating invisible barriers that disconnect us from this natural response.

In some cultures, boys are taught that crying signifies weakness, leading to shame or embarrassment around emotional expression. While women may face fewer overt restrictions, they are still at risk of being dismissed as overly emotional or irrational. Regardless of gender, crying remains largely taboo in professional settings, where composure is often valued over authenticity. I recall many nights during my psychiatry training when I would quietly slip into the bathroom to cry.

Cultural attitudes toward crying vary widely across the world. Some........

© Psychology Today