Winning, Crying, and Goals?
Joanne Love - PsyScB(Psy) GradDipPsyAdv
Director at Proactive Performance Australia - Speaker | Author | Mentor
What is with all the crying at the Superbowl?
We knew it would be a sensational final with two Aussies, two superstar quarterbacks, and the two best teams of the year - Super Bowl 57. But do you ever wonder why the winner, whether it's players or supporters, cry rather than show their physical excitement? Sure, we still see those shouts of glee and jumping around. Because for many, with tremendous excitement, we want to show our feelings with big, powerful movements like jumping. Jumping uses our biggest muscles (gluteus maximus and quadriceps) and makes us feel like we're flying for a second. And, if you think about it, the feeling of excitement is a tiny bit like the feeling of flying, don't you agree?
But it is also our crying that intensifies during our happiest moments. And for the record, men are just as likely to cry as women; in fact, it’s being normalised for men in this situation. When we cry because we're sad, it makes us feel better. But when we cry because we're happy, it makes us even happier. In other words, tears encourage catharsis.
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What benefit does crying have on future goals?
1.?Emotional release: Crying after a win can help individuals process their emotions and release the intense feelings associated with their victory. This can provide a sense of catharsis and emotional release that can help individuals refocus and recharge, leading to a renewed sense of determination and motivation toward future goals.
2.?Reflection: Crying can serve as a reminder of the effort and hard work that went into achieving a goal and can help individuals reflect on their journey. This reflection can help individuals gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges and difficulties they faced and can serve as motivation for future goals.
3.?Renewed motivation: Crying can be a way to acknowledge and celebrate a victory, which can boost self-esteem and self-confidence, and renew motivation towards future goals.
4.?Increased resilience: Crying after a win can demonstrate a level of vulnerability, which can increase empathy and social support, as well as build resilience to future challenges and setbacks.
It's important to note that everyone experiences and processes emotions differently, and the impact of crying on future goals will depend on the individual and their personal circumstances.
And just for the record-- Winning tears are less salty than sad tears.?