Why you sometimes cry for no reason

Crying is a natural human behavior that serves various purposes, ranging from emotional expression to stress relief to a means of communication. While crying is a normal response to certain situations, like grief or extreme joy, you may be wondering what it means if you find yourself crying for no apparent reason. Here, we explore why people cry, the benefits of shedding tears, and when your tears may indicate an underlying mental health concern. 

Why do people cry?

People cry for all sorts of reasons. Some common causes for tears include weddings, funerals, sad music, and emotional books or movies. But people cry for less obvious reasons too, with research listing conflict, criticism, rejection, and personal failure as additional situations that make people cry. 

Other triggers for tears include:

• A need to communicate: For babies, crying is a primary means of communication. They use tears to express pain, hunger, and a general need for attention. Even as people grow older, crying remains a form of nonverbal communication to better connect with others. One study found that people who were exposed to faces with and without tears were more likely to offer social support to those with tearful faces.
• Emotional processing: Tears are a natural response to life events. Emotions like sadness, grief, joy, frustration, anger, and empathy can all cause people to cry. People also cry due to loneliness, low self-worth, low self-esteem, and feelings of emptiness.
• Mental health issues: Frequent crying is associated with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, burnout, and bipolar disorder. Frequent crying can also be a sign that you’re in a funk.
• Hormones: Hormones are also thought to have an effect on how often and easily people cry. For example, biologically male bodies have more testosterone, which has been found to inhibit crying. On the other hand, people with biologically female bodies tend to experience hormonal changes during their menstrual cycles and pregnancy, which can contribute to more frequent crying.

Is crying healthy?

The body produces three types of tears: basal tears, reflex tears, and emotional tears. Basal tears and reflex tears are produced throughout the day to wash away dirt and irritants and keep the eyes healthy, while emotional tears are produced in response to emotional states. Emotional tears contain proteins and hormones that aren’t found in the other two types of tears, such as prolactin, potassium, and stress hormones.

Emotional tears release “feel-good” chemicals called endorphins, which ease emotional and physical pain. Research suggests that crying also activates the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), the network of nerves that controls the body’s ability to relax and self-soothe. Plus, crying is the body’s way of identifying suppressed emotions, alerting loved ones that you may need help, and evoking empathy from others.

That said, not all crying is created equal. One study found that crying improved mood about 40% of the time in the moment and showed even greater long-term benefits. In general, crying is more likely to help people feel better if they’re emotionally supported by others. It can also help more if they’re crying because of a positive experience or their tears help them resolve a problem or better understand a situation. Conversely, crying may make people feel worse if it occurs in an unsupportive setting or if their tears stem from embarrassment or shame.

Why do you cry more than other people?

On average, women cry five times per month, and men cry once per month. Another study found that women cry approximately 30 to 64 times per year, compared with up to 17 times per year for men. That same study found that the average cry session lasts six minutes for women and two to four minutes for men. The important thing to remember is that these are just averages, and there are various reasons that someone may cry more than the average person. It is also important to note that trans and nonbinary people may not fall into these averages. 

For example, having a hormonal imbalance, high levels of stress, or an insecure attachment style can lead to more frequent tears. Cultural and social factors can also influence a person’s crying habits. One study found that people who live in countries with greater social resources and freedom of expression tend to cry more often. 

On the other hand, in cultures with gender norms that discourage men from showing emotion, men may be less likely to cry. This is because tears can be seen as a sign of weakness instead of a healthy, normal human response to emotion. Keep in mind that no amount of crying is right or wrong; it all depends on how you feel overall.

Is it normal to cry every day?

Hormones, life circumstances, and attachment styles are just a few factors that influence how often a person cries. There’s no “normal” frequency for tears, but crying every day may be a sign of unresolved grief, an underlying mental health concern, or other personal struggles.

Why do you feel sad for no reason?

If you’re still not sure why you’re feeling sad or have been prone to tears lately, here are a few things to consider.

• Are there any hidden stressors in your life? This can be something as simple as an increase in social media use, a change in living conditions, or workplace tension.  

• Have you noticed any signs of anxiety or depression? An accurate diagnosis requires working with a mental health professional, but these online screening tools may help start the conversation. 

• What’s going on with your hormones? If you’ve been experiencing mood swings and excessive crying, ask a health professional if something physiological might be the cause. It could relate to a hormone imbalance or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). 

• Have you been prioritizing your needs? Sometimes, sadness is a sign that something is missing in your life, like quality sleep, time with friends, or a creative outlet. 

If you’re experiencing feelings of sadness or hopelessness that won’t go away, consider meeting with a therapist or other mental health professional. Talk therapy is an effective tool for addressing difficult emotions, identifying sources of stress or sadness, and developing healthy coping methods to help you feel your best.

Find care with Rula

Everyone cries, and some people cry more than others. But if you’ve noticed that you or a loved one are struggling with sadness or other overwhelming emotions, consider meeting with a mental health professional. 

Whether you’re thinking about restarting therapy or seeking mental health support for the first time, Rula can help. Rula makes it easy to find a therapist who is in network with your insurance, is accepting new patients, and can help you identify the root cause of your tears. With our teletherapy platform, you can schedule an appointment and be seen from the comfort of your home as soon as tomorrow. 

Find a therapist with Rula