| April 13, 2026 |
NatNews |
ISSUE 213 |
IT'S OK TO CRY
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Mr. Rogers once said “it takes strength to face our sadness and to grieve and to let our grief and our anger flow in tears when they need to.” Though you don’t need permission from Mr. Rogers to cry, allowing yourself to do so is actually beneficial for your physical and mental health. Research has found that right before an individual lets the tears flow, the nervous system’s fight-or-flight response peaks. Once the crying is underway, that person’s nervous system begins to experience the relaxation response. Dallas-area resident and school counselor Olivia Wetzel said from the perspective of not only a counselor but also a neurodivergent person, crying is an emotional expression she has become rather close to, both professionally and personally. She also noted that crying is quite physically impactful on the body. “Something that my own therapist shared with me once is that crying is one of the human body’s many regulation tools,” she said. “When your body gets warm, you start to sweat to cool down. When your nervous system is processing strong emotions—feeling happy, sad, excited, overwhelmed, etc.—crying and tears are a release and regulator for the nervous system.” That regulation also comes as a result of the triggering of the release of “feel-good” chemicals, such as endorphins and oxytocin, which create feelings of connection and safety within one’s nervous system. Wetzel said some people are quicker to cry than others, and there is nothing wrong with that. “Their bodies are doing what they need to regulate,” she said. “There is a reason sometimes people feel tired after they cry or need to take a few minutes to breathe—the body and nervous system are regulating at the same time that the individual is processing feelings and stimuli. By crying, your body is literally trying to support.” The previously mentioned research asserts that tearful crying facilitates social connections, as it communicates a person’s needs and values to others and shows them that the individual is struggling. Wetzel also provided the reminder that crying can often serve as a valuable form of communication when words are not available. “Babies cry when they need something (communication), and they cry when they are tired, scared, or overstimulated (regulation),” she said. Though crying helps people process and express emotions, not everyone is so easily brought to tears or willing to let them crawl over the ledge. Wetzel said she has always been someone who has felt her feelings deeply, so tears come pretty easily for her. “I have learned in my adult life, mostly, the more I try to suppress this process, the worse it is,” she said. “As I have learned more about myself and also through my counseling education, I have learned to recognize signals of when I may need a break or what may spark tears for me.” |
While Wetzel said she believes that people should lean into crying, she knows that doing so can sometimes begin to feel rather heavy. She said if an individual finds that crying is starting to affect that person’s work environment or other areas of life, there are two considerations to keep in mind. “Other people may have had different experiences, thoughts, and perceptions when it comes to crying,” she said. “Just because someone does something differently or does not cry as often does not mean you are doing something wrong or they are doing something wrong. And I always encourage people to reach out to a mental health professional or counselor if they have questions or need extra support processing emotions.” Historically, crying was seen as a sign of weakness or an emotional expression that was solely reserved for only some of the population. Wetzel said such a stigma serves as a detriment, as allowing for the release of tears is a natural way to communicate and process what one is feeling. “Unfortunately, for a long time, emotions and tears have been given the label of being feminine,” she said. “By labeling feelings and crying this way, it affects everyone negatively. This creates a system in which women are expected to carry and not only process their own emotions but also everyone else’s.” And Wetzel acknowledged that women are certainly not the only ones impacted by such beliefs and stereotypes. “On the flip side of the coin, this creates a barrier for men to express their emotions,” she said. “Recently, we saw two male astronauts hug each other and cry while floating in a rocket ship in space as a newly discovered moon crater was named after astronaut Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll. Especially now, more than ever, we need more moments like the one we witnessed on the moon.” For individuals who do not necessarily feel comfortable crying Wetzel said she strongly recommends connecting with a therapist or mental health professional to help unpack potential thoughts, feelings, and biases around crying. She also said how a person reacts to others crying carries significance. “To avoid adding to the negative stigma, if someone is crying, simply be present and allow them to cry,” she said. “If they apologize, reassure them that it is OK to express their feelings, and if they need to cry, it’s OK to do so.” Wetzel added that sharing moments when tears are involved with others is often a crucial part of life. “Happy moments, sad moments, scary moments, and exciting moments are all moments that may bring tears,” she said. “Embrace them. Suck it up, and cry.” |
DID YOU KNOW?
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The average lifespan of an MLB baseball is seven pitches. |
PLENTY OF BAGEL OPTIONS THROUGHOUT THE METROPLEX
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Though New York often prides itself in offering the most impressive and delicious bagels, don’t sleep on the local establishments throughout the Dallas area. After all, many residents are quite passionate about their bagel consumption. In fact, a recent NatNews research initiative found that 92 percent of respondents eat bagels on a regular basis, while only 4 percent are not fans, and 4 percent cannot or do not eat bread. Dallas resident Elizabeth Cruz said she does not eat bagels as often as she would like, but she does include them in her life at least once a month. Her love for bagels is the result of a multitude of factors. “Well, I love bread, but I like how soft but also dense it is,” she said. “I also love all of the stuff you can put on them—whether you want a plain one, one with a schmear, or a breakfast sammie.” Cruz said how she opts to take her bagel is contingent upon her mood. “My go-to, though, is a blueberry bagel with strawberry schmear on one side and a honey almond schmear on the other,” she said. “Or I go with a breakfast sandwich (sesame bagel) with bacon, egg, and cheese. Always toasted.” Like Cruz, Dallas-area resident Bill Smith said he does not consume bagels often enough, noting he probably does so only once or twice a month. For him, bagels bring joy because they serve as a form of nostalgic comfort food. “Every Sunday after church, my family would go to the local bagel shop,” he said. “My biggest worry back then was what flavor of bagel I would pick on Sunday morning. So, bagels are a chicken soup for my soul.” Smith said he also has a special order that he prefers that takes him back to fond memories from his past. “I get an everything bagel (no sunflower seeds—what even is that?) toasted with salted butter because that is what my mom always ordered,” he said. “Or it’s an egg bagel in a chicken salad melt. But the chicken salad has to be made with Old Bay. It’s the Maryland kid in me.” Smith isn’t the only one who delights in bagels because of their significant history in his life. Dallas-area resident Greg Cohen said he eats bagels once a week and enjoys the sense of nostalgia they provide as he recalls eating them when he was growing up in New York. “For me, bagels have been a source of deliciousness,” he said. “They are a great carb source and can easily be a meal at any time of the day, with varied options for toppings, sandwiches, etc.” Cohen added that he is a traditionalist and prefers his bagels plain, though he is willing to change things up every once in a while. “I also love cinnamon raisin,” he said. “My favorite bagel combo is cinnamon raisin and tuna salad with lettuce, tomato, and cheese. I also dig a plain bagel with lox spread. I eat my cream cheesed bagels open-faced and the others sammie-style, including egg and cheese.”
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Throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, there are several bagel store options, including Starship Bagel, Benny’s Bagels, Shug’s Bagels, Abby’s Bagels, Sclafani’s New York Bagels & Sandwiches, and Dan’s Bagels. Cohen, who is rather new to Texas after moving from Los Angeles in 2025, said he is still trying different places, but he enjoys bagels from Starship when he is able to make it to the location nearest to him. “Starship Bagel is the bomb.com,” he said. “It also won ‘Best Bagel’ at a national competition in New York. When I go back to my hometown on Long Island in New York, I hit up my hometown bagel joint. I am not a huge fan of corporate bagel shops (Noah’s or Einstein Bros), but in a pinch, they will do.” Cohen, who might have a strong case as a bagel connoisseur, also noted that he is certainly willing to step into unknown bagel establishments and allow his taste buds to experience the unexpected. “I am a foodie and will explore anything that is new and newsworthy,” he said. “Let me know, and I am there. I should have a bagel-tasting show on the Food Network.” Cruz said she typically prefers Shug’s or Benny’s Bagels, as she believes that they offer the closest thing to a real NYC bagel. She is also looking forward to the new PopUp Bagels that is set to open soon in the Inwood Village area. “I ate there in NYC, and I remember it being good, so I’m excited to try it again,” she said. Sticking with the affinity for New York-style bagels, Smith said he generally opts for the round delights from Deli News Dallas off Preston Road and Campbell Road, as it offers the closest option in Texas he has found to the bagels he enjoyed in his childhood. However, Smith said he is more than willing to try different bagel shops as they arrive in the area. “Good bagel places are few and far between,” he said. “New ones should always be explored, and the good ones should be promoted to keep them around. The better the bagel game becomes in Dallas, the happier we’ll all be.” WEEKLY PHOTO OP     .jpg)  Not all weekends are social, so here is a picture of the NatNews mascot |
| Upcoming Events |
Monday, April 13: Addison Speed Dating & Singles Mixer (ages 24–35) at Hawkers Asian Street Food; Dallas Wings WNBA Draft Party at Happiest Hour |