7 Shows To Watch When You Need A Good Cry

Whether you're a typically emotional persona or not, a good cry feels amazing — especially the calm that spreads over your body once the tears stop. That all-cried-out feeling isn't just exhaustion, it's a relaxing state triggered by endorphins. According to an article in the Huffington Post by UCLA psychiatrist Judith Orloff, MD, tears have many health benefits. "They lubricate your eyes, remove irritants, reduce stress hormones and contain antibodies that fight pathogenic microbes. Our bodies produce three kinds of tears: reflex, continuous, and emotional. Each kind has different healing roles," Orloff said. FIRST LINK SHOULD BE "SAD SHOWS TO WATCH"

Of the three types of tears, it's the emotional tears (as you probably guessed) that shed stress hormones. Those tears also release some of the toxins that naturally increase during times of stress. So while you thought you were ducking self care by skipping the gym in favor a Netflix marathon, you may have actually given yourself some much needed stress relief and release. Tell that to your FitBit next time it tries to tell you that you need to get off the couch to feel better.

Everyone cries for different reasons, but the following shows span a wide emotional gamut. If you find yourself without ammo for a good cry, here are seven shows that have more than enough heart-wrenching moments to ruin your mascara.

1. Grey's Anatomy

You know that thing Game of Thrones does where you can't get attached to any character because you never know if they're going to suffer a traumatic death? Yeah, Grey's Anatomy did that before it was cool. Good luck getting through this hospital drama without [ugly crying and] CUT putting your waterproof eyeliner to the test. Not only will the lives of the cast wreck you, but the lives of the patients they treat will push the knife the rest of the way into your guts. Plus, the people who make the soundtrack have a genius knack for pairing sad scenes with their perfect sad music counterparts.

Where To Watch: Streaming on Netflix

2. Nashville

This show. My gosh. There's something dramatic in every episode. Star crossed lovers. Addiction. Suicide. Terminal illness. Murder. Shady politics. Mommy issues. Daddy issues. Closeted gay cowboys. Paternity confusion. It's a buffet of feels. If you love country music, this show is for you. If you hate country music, this show is also for you. The big hat, bro country beer ballads are balanced out with some really artistic, female-driven singer-songwriter stuff. There's also soulful bluesy stuff, folksy stuff, and rocking good time stuff. Clear your schedule, though. You'll get hooked.

Where To Watch: Streaming on Hulu

3. Parenthood

Guys. This show has it all in terms of cry-inducing material. And if you're UNsure, just know this: [Lorelei] LORELAI Gilmore is one of the stars. No matter your tear trigger, you'll find it in Parenthood. And what makes it especially tears-worthy is that you'll probably see pieces of your own family in the characters as they navigate the kinds of hurts (and joys) that only the people you're related to can dish out.

Where To Watch: Streaming on Hulu

4. Dead Like Me

Have you ever considered what it would be like to be dead, and stuck roaming the earth, watching your family live their lives without you? Brutal. And on top of that, you're a grim reaper, so you have to meet all these people with amazing stories only to take their souls before their often traumatic deaths. It's like your whole deal is that everyone goes away. Needless to say, there are a lot of feels involved. Plus this one, which has been absent from streaming for long, miserable bouts at a time, is coming to Hulu soon.

Where To Watch: Soon to be on Hulu

5. Parks and Recreation

I know this is a comedy, but it has so much dang heart that I find myself laughing and crying with Leslie Knope as she experiences the ups and downs of a woman trying to follow her heart as she chases her dreams. Her career is an emotional roller coaster. When she finally meets her forever person, their romance is also an emotional roller coaster. But it's the best kind of emotional roller coaster.

Where To Watch: Streaming on Netflix and Hulu

6. Buffy The Vampire Slayer

This is a must-have for rekindling all of your high school and college love-drama feels. There's a lot of love — unrequited love, requited love that just can't be and forbidden love. You know, the kind of stuff that happens when you fall in love with vampires and other such humanoid creatures. It also has a subplots that will rip your heart out of your chest, set it on fire, and dance on its ashes. You have to wade through some corny demon slaying action sometimes, but you'll get used to it after a season or two.

Where To Watch: Streaming on Netflix

7. Bones

Good grief. On the surface, this show is about an FBI agent and a brilliant forensic anthropologist who tag team to solve tricky murders. Peel back the layers and these characters are complex and compelling. You'll root for romance that seems like it will never work out. You'll cry with the characters as they tackle social ineptitude, bad childhoods, dead or dying family members, losing members of their own team, and solving cases that affect the families of the victims in deep ways. I can't watch this one too often because the feels are so powerful.

Where To Watch: Streaming on Netflix and Hulu

Whether you just need any new show that's great to watch for hours on end, or one that will definitely make you cry, these shows are a safe bet. Trust me.

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