Each of us has gone through times when we were unable to control our tears. But have you ever questioned whether if crying can actually burn calories?
While there is evidence to suggest that crying may be assisting you in losing some of the pandemic weight, crying doesn’t exactly solve your problems. Crying is good for your mental health because it allows you to let out frustration and anxiety that has been building up.
Does Crying Burn Calories?
A study discovered that crying and laughing both burn the same amount of calories, which is 1.3 calories per minute. So, if you cry for 20 minutes, you can burn around 26 calories. But here’s the catch: you don’t actually have to cry to burn those calories. Simply knowing that crying can help you burn calories is sufficient. So, no need to shed tears intentionally for this purpose.
When you go through tough times or experience traumatic events, you might notice changes in your weight. However, these changes are not caused by the calories burned during crying. Instead, they are more likely due to changes in your appetite.
Does Crying Make You Lose Weight?
Crying is a natural response of our bodies. Some people cry more easily than others, while some try to hold back their tears. When we cry, we produce what are called “psychic tears,” which turn our emotional response into a physical one. Crying can affect our brain signals, hormones, and even metabolic processes.
Researchers are interested in understanding if crying has broader and long-term effects on our bodies. Some people have started to believe that crying can help them lose weight because it’s associated with burning calories. However, there is currently no scientific evidence to support this claim. So, we don’t have confirmation that crying actually leads to weight loss.
How Many Calories Can Crying Help You Burn?
When we go through difficult experiences like losing a loved one, going through a breakup, or feeling depressed, we often find ourselves crying more frequently. Sometimes, during these times of intense emotions, we may notice that we’re losing weight. However, it’s more likely that the weight loss is related to a decreased appetite caused by grief and depression, rather than the act of crying itself.
While crying does burn some calories, you would have to cry for hours or even days continuously to burn the same number of calories as a short, brisk walk. According to a study, crying and laughing both burn about the same amount of calories, which is roughly 1.3 calories per minute. So, during a 20-minute crying session, you would burn approximately 26 extra calories compared to not crying at all. But in the grand scheme of things, it’s not a significant amount of calories burned.
Benefits of Crying
Although crying is frequently perceived as a sign of emotional distress, it actually has many positive effects on both our mental and physical health. These are a few advantages of crying:
- Emotional release: Crying allows us to express and release pent-up emotions, such as sadness, grief, anger, or frustration. It can provide a sense of relief and help us cope with difficult feelings.
- Stress reduction: Tears contain stress hormones, so crying can help reduce stress levels. It acts as a natural emotional and physiological release, helping to calm the mind and body.
- Emotional catharsis: Crying can serve as a cathartic process, helping us process and come to terms with emotional pain or trauma. It can aid in healing and moving forward.
- Social connection: Tears can evoke empathy and compassion in others, fostering social connection and support. Crying can bring people closer together and facilitate emotional bonding.
- Mood improvement: After a good cry, many people experience an uplifted mood. Crying can help regulate and stabilize our emotions, leading to a sense of emotional balance and improved well-being.
- Physical relief: Crying can provide physical relief by reducing tension in the body, releasing endorphins (natural painkillers), and promoting relaxation.
- Cleansing effect: Tears help cleanse our eyes, removing irritants and keeping our eyes lubricated. They also contain antibodies that help fight against bacteria, keeping our eyes healthy.
When does Crying Becomes Unhealthy?
Crying can be really good for our overall health because it helps us process and manage our emotions, which in turn balances our hormones. However, excessive crying may not have the same positive effects. So, when does crying become unhealthy?
If you’re going through a difficult time, it’s normal to cry for a few days or even months as part of the healing process. It’s also okay to cry occasionally in response to certain situations. But if you find yourself crying too often, or even crying over every little thing, it could be a sign that you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Uncontrollable crying can also be considered unhealthy, especially if it starts affecting your daily life. So, it’s important to pay attention to your tears and keep track of them.
Don’t hesitate to seek help if you feel like you need it or if you want someone to talk to. There’s nothing to be ashamed of, and reaching out for support is a positive step towards taking care of yourself.