Birth Quote by Alexander Lowen
“Crying, that is, sobbing is the earliest and deepest way to release tension. Infants can cry almost from the moment of birth, and do so easily following every stress that produces a state of tension in the body... Human beings are the only creatures who can react in this way to stress and tension. Most probably, they are the only ones who need this form of release.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Language of the Body by Alexander Lowen, 1975
Crying is a natural, deep release of bodily tension that humans uniquely use to cope with stress.
In simple terms: Crying helps release tension.
Key Takeaway
Allow yourself to cry when stressed.
Themes
emotion
stress relief
human uniqueness
Mood
vulnerable
relief
Type
psychological
health
When to use this quote
- infancy
- therapy sessions
- high stress work environments
Key Concepts
psychosomatics
catharsis
developmental biology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does cultural view affect your willingness to cry?
- When have you felt relief after crying?
A Different Perspective
Crying may be socially stigmatized, limiting its use.
![“Happiness is the consciousness of growth. [...] If my definition has validity, it suggests that most people come to therapy because they sense their growth has been arrested. Certainly many patients look to therapy to reinstitute the growth process. (33)” quote by Alexander Lowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8db/alexander-lowen-11650_happiness_happiness-is-the-consciousness-of-growth_454752.jpg)
