In a world full of different emotions, there is one emotion which has kept almost everyone in its fold, especially youth. It is the sense of being sad or depressed. While one is compelled to appear happy in front of others, crying alone brings some relief. You generally cannot express these emotions in front of anyone, but what if you find such a place where you are allowed to shed your tears without any embarrassment? A place to cry your heart out amid absolutely unknown people, who have come to lighten their heart by crying just like you. Well, that’s exactly what the Mumbai Crying Club, launched just last week, will allow you to do.
Now, India has two crying clubs with the first one being the Healthy Crying Club of Surat City, which has been active since 2017. Metropolitan cities like Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad have also formed groups where people share their tears or their vulnerabilities. However, these are not official clubs, but exist only at the community level.
So lets understand the concept and science behind Crying Club and why it is in trend?
What Is a Crying Club?
Crying Clubs are inspired by the Ruikatsu culture of Japan, which provides a unique environment where you find supportive strangers who listen to you rather than trying to fix you. In Japan Rui-katsu means "tear-seeking".
Such places are designed to welcome you as you are. Whether you're heartbroken, tired or just feeling stressed out after a long week, it's a non-judgemental space to express your emotions. With dim lights, soothing tea and understanding people, you're free to cry, vent or just sit in silence. There's no pressure to explain or fix anything. It's a move against repressing your feelings, a place to let go, take a deep breath and come back a little lighter.
Concept Behind Crying Clubs
Crying Clubs are based on the Japanese concept ‘Ruikatsu’. It is a Japanese practice that means "tear-shedding activity." The goal is to intentionally cry to reduce stress and feel better mentally and emotionally. The word is derived from "rui" (tears) and "katsu" (activity), just like the Japanese word for job search is "shukatsu" or "konkatsu" for finding a partner.
Special events are organised for Ruikatsu. People sit together to watch emotional movies, listen to heart-warming stories or read letters that might bring out true emotions and bring out tears. The belief is that crying helps release repressed emotions. Sometimes these events are run by professional "tear therapists" who help people through the process.
Science Behind Crying
According to the University Of Alabama at Birmingham – Our body and mind are always trying to maintain an internal balance (homeostasis). When a person is emotionally overwhelmed, crying releases 'happy' hormones such as oxytocin and endorphins. These hormones help calm and stabilise the body again, restoring emotional balance.
Why is Ruikatsu becoming popular?
In India, Ruikatsu is becoming popular because living and working in a high-pressure environment of Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore or anywhere else can generally lead to emotional breakdowns or make one always tense and depressed. Along with personal problems, worries about work, good life, social stability, and financial conditions are always a concern for a normal person. Concepts like Ruikatsu provide a safe and socially acceptable means of venting these feelings.
Scientific research also supports the fact that crying—especially emotional crying (not normal tears like when you're cutting onions)—can reduce stress hormones, lower blood pressure, and provide emotional clarity. People who participate in such sessions often report feeling lighter, calmer, and more emotionally balanced afterward.
