Puffy Eyes after Weeping at Night
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:48 pm
After I experienced an upset the other night, I was pleased when I awoke the next morning with eyes not too noticeably swollen. Most of the time when I cry in the evening, I wake up with eyes so puffy I'm practically unrecognizable. I found myself wondering why this is so, but instead of asking the Board straight out, I thought to do some research for myself first.
And here is the answer! It's pretty interesting, I think (but maybe that's just me, since I'm the Amazing Human Faucet ... and somewhat biologically inclined).
It seems to me the reason is two-fold. Eyes get puffy after sleeping even when nobody's been crying because water accumulates in the skin around the eyes. I would imagine that the excess water created by our tears would also accumulate and cause more puffiness.
Additionally, crying is usually a response to increased adrenaline*. Heart rate goes up and muscles tense. Increased blood flow and the facial muscular effort that goes into crying also cause puffiness.
Ta-da! My life is so enriched!
*Those whose tempers are wired to their tear-ducts can look to a similar cause.
And here is the answer! It's pretty interesting, I think (but maybe that's just me, since I'm the Amazing Human Faucet ... and somewhat biologically inclined).
It seems to me the reason is two-fold. Eyes get puffy after sleeping even when nobody's been crying because water accumulates in the skin around the eyes. I would imagine that the excess water created by our tears would also accumulate and cause more puffiness.
Additionally, crying is usually a response to increased adrenaline*. Heart rate goes up and muscles tense. Increased blood flow and the facial muscular effort that goes into crying also cause puffiness.
Ta-da! My life is so enriched!
*Those whose tempers are wired to their tear-ducts can look to a similar cause.