Crying, a natural response to intense emotions, does burn calories, but the amount is not substantial. Studies suggest that crying and laughing both burn about 1.3 calories per minute. In a 20-minute crying session, you might burn around 26 more calories.
However, this calorie expenditure is minimal, and crying should not be viewed as a weight loss strategy. The primary purpose of crying is to express emotions, not to serve as exercise.
While it’s interesting to know that crying involves some caloric burn, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through proper diet and exercise remains key for overall well-being.
Why do we cry, and what are the different types of tears?
We cry for various reasons, and tears serve different purposes. Emotional tears, triggered by feelings such as joy, sadness, or frustration, help us release built-up emotions. Reflex tears, on the other hand, protect our eyes from irritants like dust or onions.
Additionally, basal tears keep our eyes lubricated daily. Each type of tear contains distinct components; emotional tears, for instance, carry stress hormones and toxins.
What does scientific research say about the calories burned during crying?
According to one study, crying burns about the same number of calories as laughing, which is approximately 1.3 calories per minute. This means that if you were to cry for 20 minutes, you would burn around 26 more calories than you would have burned if you hadn’t cried.
However, this is a relatively small amount, and it’s important to remember that crying should not be considered a form of exercise.
Another study found that prolonged crying can release up to 104 calories. This might seem like a significant amount, but it’s likely due to the release of stress hormones like cortisol, which can affect metabolic processes.
Cortisol is known to increase heart rate and blood pressure, both of which can lead to increased energy expenditure.
There are also some conflicting studies on the subject. One such study suggests that crying can burn up to 6.3 calories per minute. However, this would require a significant amount of crying and is not a reliable or healthy method for calorie burning.
What Are The Factors Influencing Caloric Expenditure?
Consider Individual Factors
Age plays a role in caloric expenditure during crying. Metabolism tends to slow down with age, affecting how efficiently the body burns calories. Younger individuals may experience a slightly higher caloric burn during activities, including crying, due to a generally faster metabolism.
Body weight is a significant determinant of caloric expenditure. Generally, individuals with higher body weight burn more calories during physical activities. This principle applies to crying as well. Those with a higher body weight might experience a slightly elevated caloric burn during crying compared to individuals with lower body weight.
The intensity of emotion during crying can influence the overall physiological response. Strong emotions trigger more profound physiological reactions, potentially leading to a higher heart rate and increased respiratory rate. These responses, in turn, may contribute to a slightly higher caloric burn during intense emotional crying episodes.
How Other Activities During Crying Might Impact Calorie Burning
While crying itself involves minimal physical activity, certain associated behaviors or activities may impact overall caloric expenditure
The facial expressions accompanying crying, such as grimacing or contorting the face, can engage various facial muscles. Though these movements are not exhaustive, they contribute to the overall energy expenditure during crying.
Some individuals may exhibit body movements or gestures during intense emotional moments. Whether pacing, rocking, or other subtle movements, these actions can marginally increase the overall caloric burn during crying.
Emotional crying often involves changes in breathing patterns. Deeper breaths, sighs, or irregular breathing may contribute to a slightly increased respiratory effort, leading to additional calorie burning.
What are some other benefits of crying?
Crying offers several advantages, encompassing both physical and emotional aspects
Body Detoxification: Tears shed during emotional crying have stress hormones and other toxins, potentially aiding in their elimination from your body.
Self-Comfort: The activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) through crying can help your body achieve a state of rest and recovery. The calming effects of crying might take a few minutes and are not immediate.
Pain Reduction: Extended periods of crying release oxytocin and endorphins, which can alleviate both emotional and physical pain.
Mood Enhancement: Crying, especially sobbing, might improve your mood. Sobbing involves taking in several quick breaths of cool air, which can help to regulate and even decrease your brain’s temperature.
Support Gathering: Crying can signal to others that you need support, providing an interpersonal benefit.
Grief Recovery: Crying can be crucial during times of grief, potentially helping you process and accept the loss of a loved one.
FAQ
Does overthinking burn calories?
Yes, but minimally. Your brain uses energy, and complex thinking requires a bit more, but it’s insignificant for weight loss. Focus on healthy diet and exercise instead.
Do you burn calories studying?
Yes, slightly more than resting. Mental focus increases blood flow and brain activity, burning minimal calories, but not enough for weight loss. Focus on balanced breaks and regular exercise.
How many calories does kissing burn?
Around 2-6 calories per minute, similar to sitting. While passionate make-out sessions might burn a tad more, it’s not a significant weight-loss strategy. Focus on enjoying the moment!
Is tongue kissing healthy?
Yes, generally. Saliva exchanges beneficial bacteria and enzymes, but consider practicing good oral hygiene and potential risks of STI transmission.
How to burn calories in bed?
Sexual activity burns more calories than resting, but it’s not a primary weight-loss method. Focus on a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and balanced diet.
What burns fat while sleeping?
Your body naturally burns calories for basic functions even while asleep. However, targeted fat burning requires a calorie deficit achieved through diet and exercise.
Do cold showers burn fat?
Minimal evidence suggests cold showers might activate brown fat, burning some extra calories. However, the effect is small and sustainable weight loss relies on consistent healthy habits.
How to lose belly fat?
Spot reduction (targeting specific areas) isn’t effective. Overall fat loss comes from a calorie deficit achieved through balanced diet and regular exercise that engages major muscle groups. Remember, consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.
Final thoughts
Crying burns a small number of calories (about 1.3 per minute), but it’s not a big deal for losing weight. Crying is more about letting out emotions than exercising. Factors like age and weight can affect it a bit, but it’s not a major calorie burner.
For a healthy life, it’s better to focus on eating well and moving your body. So, if you cry, see it as a way to express feelings, not a weight loss trick. Take care of your overall well-being by eating right and staying active.
