Find Yourself Crying For No Reason? This Could Be Why

Have you ever randomly burst into tears for what seems like no reason? Has a movie scene ever tugged at your heartstrings a bit more than it should have? Have you ever had a day where you struggle to hold back your tears? The reality is that even though you may not be able to put your finger on the reason in the moment, there could be several underlying causes. Here are just some of them:

1. Repression

According to Verywell mind, repression can be defined as your brain unconsciously blocking unpleasant emotions, impulses, memories, and thoughts from your conscious mind. It was originally introduced by Sigmund Freud, who said that we use it as a defense mechanism to minimize feelings of guilt and anxiety.

Even though repression is often associated with larger, more impactful events, individuals can even repress small stressful moments that we couldn’t process as they happened. If we do this well enough, we can repress them far enough that we never take the time to deal with them. 

2. The Past Two Years

It’s not news to anyone that the past two years of this pandemic have been the hardest time many of us have gone through. Our friends or even us personally have lost loved ones, been sick, been furloughed or unemployed, all while being swarmed by constant news of new variants, CDC guidelines, and global statistics. No wonder it took a toll on our mental state. ”

3. Cortisol Release

If you’re crying and can’t figure out why, it may just be your body needing to get rid of some excess cortisol and begin to release some good endorphins instead. An article from the Harvard Health blog syas that emotional tears help fluhs out toxins out of our systems, improving our health. Instead, your body replenishes the good chemicals like endorphins, easing stress. So, having a good cry can be good for you sometimes.

4. Empathy

If someone close to you is going through something hard, you may empathize with what they’re going through. This empathy can be so strong that you find yourself crying, too. An article from Lesley University says that empathy can develop over time, depending on your environment. It can even become such a complex feeling that it’s hard to recognize its origin. So keep that in mind when you feel the tears coming.

Okay, now that I know why I could be crying, how do I stop the tears? Here are some things we can all try:

• Talk to someone: A friend, family member, or a therapist — it can be anyone. Discussing what you’re going through and knowing you’re not alone can be incredibly helpful.
• Journal: Even if you just ramble on about whatever comes to you, releasing it from your subconscious will allow you the mental capacity to cope with it.
• Find some inspiration: When we are motivated to work on a particular goal or helping others, we tend to have more optimistic thoughts. 
• Unplug: Instead of scrolling on your phone before bed, put on some soothing music, do a face mask, or read a book.
• Eliminate alcohol and caffeine for a bit: Many of us function on pumping ourselves with caffeine throughout the day and decompressing with an alcoholic beverage in the evenings. This cycle messes up our natural circadian rhythms. So, it might be beneficial to eliminate these substances for a while.
• Get moving: When we experience mental drain or stress, sometimes exercising and focusing on something else can help with cortisol release (the hormone created by stress).

At the end of the day, remember you are not alone. When we experience stressful situations, it can seem like an overwhelming addition to our already very full plates. Know there is no shame in admitting you may need help. Check the internet for your local resources or call the National Mental Health Hotline at (866) 603-3787. This too shall pass.

Photo by Zhivko Minkov on Unsplash