Let’s be real—Lyme disease is tough. It’s exhausting, frustrating, and sometimes feels never-ending. The physical pain, the brain fog, the never-ending battle to be heard by doctors, family, and friends—it’s a lot. And somewhere along the way, many of us have picked up the idea that we need to be “strong” all the time, that crying is a sign of weakness.
But I’m here to tell you something important: Crying is not only okay—it’s good for you.
Crying is a release
Living with Lyme means carrying around a lot—pain, uncertainty, fear, and sometimes even grief for the life you had before. If you keep it all bottled up, it festers. But when you cry, you’re giving those emotions an outlet. It’s like releasing steam from a pressure cooker. You don’t have to pretend everything is fine all the time. Let it out.
Tears are literally healing
Science backs this up! Emotional tears contain stress hormones and toxins that your body needs to get rid of. Crying can actually lower cortisol levels, which is great because stress makes Lyme symptoms worse. Ever notice how you feel a little lighter after a good cry? That’s your body doing some detox work for you.
It activates your parasympathetic nervous system
Lyme keeps our bodies in a constant state of stress, activating the sympathetic nervous system—the one responsible for the fight-or-flight response. Crying helps shift us into parasympathetic mode, which is where real healing happens. The parasympathetic nervous system promotes relaxation, digestion and recovery, all of which are crucial for Lyme warriors. So, when you cry, you’re actually signaling to your body that it’s safe to rest and repair.
It’s a reminder that you’re human
Lyme can make you feel robotic—just going through the motions of appointments and symptom tracking. But crying reminds you that you are not just a diagnosis. You’re a person, with real emotions and a soul that needs care just as much as your body does.
It can bring you closer to others
Being vulnerable isn’t easy, but it can strengthen your relationships. If you let someone see your tears…whether it’s a friend, a partner, or the Lyme Laser™ community, you might find more understanding and connection than you expected. And that sense of community? It’s powerful.
It’s part of healing
Lyme recovery isn’t just about the right advice, protocols, or detox regimens. It’s also about emotional healing. If we suppress everything we feel—anger, sadness, frustration—it can actually make us sicker. Letting yourself cry is a way of honoring the emotional side of your healing journey.
So, cry when you need to
If you feel a wave of emotion coming, don’t fight it. Find a quiet place, grab a soft blanket, put on that sad song if you need to and just let yourself be.
Because here’s the thing: You’re strong even when you cry. In fact, crying is proof that you’re still fighting, still feeling, still alive. And that’s a beautiful thing.
Sending you love and strength on your journey.
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