January 6th, 2025
Crying is a natural and healthy way to express emotions, but it can feel overwhelming or even frustrating if it happens too often or at inconvenient times. Whether you’re tearing up at work, during a tough conversation, or simply out of the blue, you might wonder how to stop yourself from crying or why it happens so easily.
We’re here to help you explore why we cry, strategies to stop tears in the moment, and when crying might signal a need for additional support, such as reaching out to a mental health therapist or exploring online therapy. If crying feels excessive, don’t worry—there are ways to regain control while honoring your emotions. Before continuing on, make sure to check out our blog 6 Things Most People Don't Know About Crying For No Reason.
Let’s start with a simple question: Why do we cry?
Crying is a natural emotional and physiological response to various stimuli, including joy, sadness, frustration, and even physical pain. Scientists suggest crying serves as a mechanism to release pent-up emotions, relieve stress, or communicate distress to others. Tears are categorized into three types: basal (lubrication), reflex (response to irritants), and emotional.
Emotional tears, which are unique to humans, contain stress hormones and endorphins, potentially providing a sense of relief. In essence, crying is your body’s way of saying, “Let it out—it’s okay!” However, if you find yourself constantly wondering how to stop crying, it might indicate underlying emotional or mental health challenges that need addressing.
Keep reading to take a deeper dive into crying, how to better control your tears, and what frequently crying can mean about your mental health.
Struggling to stop yourself from crying may stem from heightened emotional sensitivity, unresolved trauma, or mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. It’s common for people to feel overwhelmed in stressful situations, especially if they lack tools to manage their emotions effectively. Factors such as hormonal changes, exhaustion, or feeling unsupported can exacerbate this.
For some, crying easily may also relate to personality traits, such as high empathy or sensitivity. It’s essential to recognize that tears aren’t a weakness—they’re signals from your body and mind that something needs attention. However, understanding why your emotions feel overwhelming is the first step toward managing them. Online mental health services or speaking with a therapist near you can help you understand and manage these triggers.
Crying is highly individual—what’s “normal” for one person might differ for another. Normal crying might occur a few times a month, often tied to clear triggers, such as emotional events or stress. Excessive crying, however, can interfere with daily life, strain relationships, or occur without apparent cause.
If you find yourself crying several times a week, feeling unable to stop, or if crying is accompanied by feelings of hopelessness, it may be worth exploring underlying causes. Excessive crying can indicate mental health challenges that deserve attention.
Excessive crying can be linked to depression, anxiety, or other emotional struggles. If you’re in Chicago and looking for mental health facilities in Chicago or a therapist in Chicago, reach out to our professional therapists, they can help you distinguish between normal and excessive crying. Online therapy is also an excellent option for those looking for flexibility in receiving mental health care.
If you’re wondering how to stop yourself from crying in the moment or how to stop crying, here are a few practical strategies:
These short-term strategies are helpful, but for lasting emotional balance, consider consulting a mental health therapist near you or exploring online therapy options.
If crying feels like a constant issue, building emotional resilience is key. Here’s a few ways to get started with this:
If you’re searching for the best online therapy or mental health facilities in Chicago, Clarity Clinic is here to help. We provide accessible resources to help you develop long-term emotional coping strategies.
For individuals experiencing excessive crying due to depression or anxiety, our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at Clarity Clinic can offer significant support. These onsite PHP and IOP programs are located in the Loop, downtown Chicago, and we also provide a Virtual IOP (virtual intensive outpatient program) accessible to anyone in Illinois.
Our PHP treatment and IOP treatment are designed to help individuals manage overwhelming emotions and regain control of their emotional responses. In cases where crying becomes excessive, it often signals deeper underlying issues related to mental health conditions. Our programs provide a structured environment where patients can explore these issues with professional therapists.
These programs not only aim to reduce symptoms like excessive crying but also help individuals understand and manage their triggers effectively. Fill out our PHP/IOP forms to get more information and head to our PHP and IOP curriculum page to explore more on the best intensive outpatient program and partial hospitalization program near you!
PHP/IOP FormsIf crying feels constant, uncontrollable, or is paired with symptoms like low energy, sleep disturbances, or thoughts of hopelessness, it’s time to seek professional support. Therapy can help you uncover the root causes, develop coping strategies, and reclaim control over your emotions.
Consider options like online mental health services that make therapy more accessible than ever. Whether you’re looking for therapy near you or mental health services in Chicago, a licensed therapist can help you address the root causes of excessive crying.
Don’t wait—seeking help is the first step toward reclaiming your emotional health. Remember, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. With mental health clinics located in the Loop, River North, Lakeview (Belmont & Broadway), Evanston, and Arlington Heights, you can easily find the best therapist near you!
Find a Therapist Near YouDiscover Clarity Clinic’s Popular Mental Health Services:
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Why do I cry so easily?
This can vary greatly from person to person and it would be best to see a mental health professional to help you get to the root of the problem. However, common reasons as to why someone might cry easily include heightened emotional sensitivity, stress, hormonal changes, or underlying mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.
How do I stop crying so easily?
To stop crying so easily you should go to therapy so you can work out the root of your problems and learn how to better control your emotions. Additionally, you can practice grounding techniques, mindfulness, and emotional regulation strategies.
Is it OK if I cry easily?
Yes! It is ok if you cry easily, remember that crying is a normal emotional response. It becomes an issue if your crying begins to interfere with daily life. Then you should consider talking to a mental health professional.
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