Mumbai Joins Japan’s Rui-Katsu Trend with Cry Clubs for Stress Relief and Bonding

Many of us have heard elders say, ‘Let them cry it all out’ during an emotionally overwhelming event or during the loss of a dear one. The psychological benefits of crying have been acknowledged for generations. Today, this understanding has been brought back into focus through the rise of Cry Clubs. In modern urban life, where suppressed emotions, smaller family structures, and growing loneliness are common, these spaces provide a safe outlet for emotional release.

In Mumbai, a new wellness trend has emerged: the “Cry Club.” Inspired by Japan’s group crying sessions, Cry Club offers a safe space for individuals to release emotion through shared tears. Participants gather in a comforting environment and are given a chance, turn by turn, to rant about the issues in their lives to encourage tears, aiming to relieve stress and refresh the mind. They reportedly pay Rs 499 for an hour-long session.

Crying is unique to humans and serves a range of emotional, social, and biological functions. Emotional tears contain higher levels of hormones—like prolactin and adrenocorticotropic hormone—as well as electrolytes and proteins, which may signal need and invoke support from others. This signaling fosters social bonding and empathy. Tears also affect mood regulation by facilitating recovery from emotional distress. ^[1]

Scientific studies support these benefits. In one trial, participants who cried in response to sad stimuli later withstood stress longer, displayed lower cortisol levels, and recovered faster emotionally than non-cryers.^[2] Another study observed that while crying initially worsens mood, it leads to improved mood after a delay—suggesting long-term emotional repair.

Not crying may also carry social costs. Individuals who do not cry often experience lower empathy and weaker emotional connections, even though their overall well-being may appear unaffected. Research indicates crying is a behavior deeply rooted in our neurobiology, linked to emotional awareness, social signaling, and physiological regulation.

Japan’s Rui-katsu literally "tear activity" has formalized this behavior into organized cultural practice. Since 2013, attendees at Rui-katsu events gather to watch tear-inducing media and cry together under facilitation by a “tear teacher.” Participants often emerge feeling lighter and emotionally refreshed.

In Mumbai, the Cry Club adapts this concept to a local wellness context by offering group emotional release sessions. Members participate in guided crying with selected content, followed by optional reflection. The shared nature of the experience helps reduce stigma around emotional expression, encouraging psychological release.

References

1. Messmer, E. M. “[Emotional Tears].” Ophthalmologe 106, no. 7 (July 2009): 593–602. doi:10.1007/s00347-009-1966-5. Accessed August 28, 2025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19568753/ PubMed

2. Gross, J. J., B. L. Frederickson, and R. W. Levenson. “The Psychophysiology of Crying.” Psychophysiology 31, no. 5 (September 1994): 460–468. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8986.1994.tb01049.x. Accessed August 28, 2025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7972600/ PubMed

3. Sharman, Leah S., Genevieve A. Dingle, Ad J. J. M. Vingerhoets, and Eric J. Vanman. “Using Crying to Cope: Physiological Responses to Stress Following Tears of Sadness.” Emotion 20, no. 7 (October 2020): 1279–1291. Epub July 8, 2019. doi:10.1037/emo0000633. Accessed August 28, 2025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31282699/ PubMed

4. Gračanin, Asmir, Lauren M. Bylsma, and Ad J. J. M. Vingerhoets. “Why Only Humans Shed Emotional Tears: Evolutionary and Cultural Perspectives.” Human Nature 29, no. 2 (June 2018): 104–133. doi:10.1007/s12110-018-9312-8. Accessed August 28, 2025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29556968/

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