Home  >  My Life  >  Reflections

How to Make Yourself Cry: 17 Ways to Fake It Or Let it All Out

Want to know how to make yourself cry? It can be hard whether you’re faking it or actually need to just cry it out, but you can do it with some help.

how to make yourself cry

It’s not the easiest thing to know how to make yourself cry, but sometimes there are certain situations in life when you need to cry. You may need to get out of work, avoid getting a speeding ticket, or even maybe you just need that surge of emotions to release.

There will be a reason to make yourself cry at some point in your life, and it would be best to figure out how to do it before that event actually happens. That’s why we’re here to help you learn how to make yourself cry because you never know when you’ll need to.

[Read: How to cry and let it all out – 13 tips and ways crying therapy can help you]

Why do we cry?

This may be a question you’ve never really thought much about before. It’s just something people do naturally, and nobody really ever asks why.

Well, there is a very big reason people are even able to cry. Who would’ve thought leaking fluid from your eyes would be an evolutionary thing?

But it is. It’s believed that people cry because it’s a sign of vulnerability. Those who cry get pity from others, and therefore, are more likely to survive. Well, this was true way back when humans were still living in caves. And maybe it’s still true today.

According to The Washington Post, some theories state that crying occurs when you feel high anxiety or distress followed by a moment of recalibration or release.

Consider this, you had a fight with your partner. You are worried about what will come of it all day. But they show up at your door and give you a hug and you cry. That sudden change in emotions from stress to calm releases those tears. [Read: Are relationship fights normal? 15 signs you’re fighting way too often]

Why crying can be hard

But since the time that crying was only to show distress or to survive, it has changed a bit. Many people try not to cry to be seen as less emotional. Men and boys are often mocked for crying because it is considered weak or feminine.

With that, it can be hard to cry when you actually need that release. And of course, it is hard to cry when you don’t need to, but want to. Many actors train and study for years to perfect the fake cry, and still use artificial tears.

The change in how we view crying as a society has made it a lot more difficult to do so. [Read: When a woman is crying – The gentlemen’s dos and don’ts]

How to make yourself cry

Actors aren’t the only people who need to know how to spark some tears and open the floodgates. Everyone should know just how to bring fake tears to their eyes because it can be an instrumental skill for certain situations.

Plus, when you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or just down, a good cry can help you shake it off and get back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Now, this is easier for some of us to master than others. If you’re more in touch with your feelings, for example, it may be easier.

If you can cling to your feelings and expel them, this could actually be a breeze. On the other hand, those who conceal their emotions may have a more difficult time with it. [Read: 14 ways to stop yourself from crying & hold back the tears]

Nevertheless, you can learn just how to make yourself cry with these tips.

1. Think about the saddest time of your life

This is probably the saddest and most difficult way to make yourself cry for the simple fact that nobody wants to think back to a somber day that made them cry a lot. Nobody wants to relive that. But, it is effective.

When you pull one of those memories to the forefront of your mind, those emotions reignite, and you’ll be able to cry a lot easier – and those tears will seem the most real because they are.

So if it’s tolerable enough, and you need to cry, thinking about a really difficult time will help. [Read: How to handle the pain of missing someone]

Obviously, if you hold your eyes open for a long time, they’ll start to water a lot. Your eyes need lubrication, and if they feel super dried out, they’ll start to overproduce tears to keep them nice and glossy.

This isn’t the best way of making yourself cry, however, because you have to have a lot of time in order to get the tears necessary to make it seem it look like you’re really crying. Plus, you’ll look a tad bit strange holding your eyes open for so long.

But, you can use this as a starting point. Often, once you feel the tears coming, you can give them a push with your emotions as well.

3. Avert your eyes from someone often

While you’re “crying,” you’ll want to keep looking away from the person. Nobody cries and looks someone directly in the eyes. Most people shield their face so the other person can’t see.

That being said, if you can muster up even little fake tears, looking away from the person will make them believe there are really more tears underneath your shielding hands. [Read: How to make eye contact while ensuring you don’t look creepy]

4. “Wipe away” tears

This is another convincing way to make someone think you’re crying. You don’t just let your tears fall when you’re crying. Right? So, wipe away the tears even if there isn’t anything to wipe away.

Now, this works best in a darker atmosphere. If you’ve ever watched sappy reality shows, you know that this method isn’t foolproof.

As long as you can get your eyes a little more watery than normal, pretending to wipe away your tears will explain the absence of them running down your cheek.

Doing this will also help make your eyes a little more red – just like when you’re really crying.

5. Sniffle

When you’re learning how to make yourself cry, you have to remember this. When your tears run, your nose runs.

Everyone knows this, and if you’re crying without sniffling, it’ll seem like something’s off. So, do your best to sniffle now and then to really sell those tears.

Here’s something to remember though. Unless you can get some serious tears flowing, the excessive sniffling will be a sign that you’re not really crying.

When your nose is running, you try to sniffle as little as possible because, honestly, it is a little gross. So, if you’re going to use this method, keep it subtle. [Read: 14 movies you should watch for a good cry session]

6. Pretend you’re trying NOT to cry

Most people are not okay with crying in front of people – especially not people they have to see every day. It’s a sign of vulnerability, and it makes you seem like you can’t keep your emotions in check.

People try NOT to cry when they are actually crying. How do they do this?

By steadying their breathing and by looking up to stop the tear flow. Doing both will help it seem as though you’re trying your hardest not to cry – which will also explain the lack of tons of tears.

7. Open your throat

You know when you yawn, and your eyes somehow seem to get all watery and teary? That’s actually related to a muscle in your throat.

If you can keep your mouth closed and open your throat like you do when you yawn, tears will form.

It takes a little while to get the motion down, but once you’re able to do this, it’s SUCH a useful tool for making yourself cry when you need to. Practice this a lot, and it’ll become second nature at times. [Read: How to express your feelings]

8. Onions

If you need to make yourself cry, go ahead and chop some onions. Any onions will do, but this could potentially be painful depending on how sensitive you are.

For instance, some people can’t even open their eyes in a room with freshly cut onions, so this would be over the top for them.

Just make sure to hide the evidence and wash your hands, so people don’t suspect you of fake crying when your eyes are all watery from chopping up some onions.

9. Practice often

The art of making yourself cry needs a lot of practice. Seasoned actors can probably cry at the drop of a hat, and that’s because they’ve spent so much time doing it. So practice this in your free time.

It’s really useful to make yourself cry with the least amount of effort because real tears fall naturally and without you trying at all. [Read: Learn how to practice positive thinking]

10. Be aware of your body/emotions when you’re really crying

The next time you find yourself actually crying, try to pinpoint how it started, what your face looks like, and how your whole body feels.

Then, when you have to make yourself cry, try to put all of those things into play. Screw up your face the same way, wrap yourself in your arms if that’s what you do when you actually cry and try to look as much like you do when you cry for real as you can.

11. Look at a photo

This may seem like it won’t work, but you’d be surprised. Look at a photo of your past. Maybe something from your childhood or your wedding day.

Look at a photo of someone you lost in your life. The crying doesn’t need to be due to sadness, but reminiscing.

Keep a photo on your phone that brings on the tears so you can use this method wherever you are. [Read: Old love letters and memories: Should you keep them or toss them?]

12. Think of something awful

Okay, this doesn’t sound nice, but it works. Sometimes, thinking of what you would do without your best friend, partner, or parents will just flood you with waterworks.

It is an unfortunate thing that no one wants to think of, but it’s a good way to start crying and get those tears flowing.

13. Watch a sad movie scene

There is a movie scene that makes you cry whether you want to admit it or not.

Even if you don’t have a specific reason to be crying, the emotions from movies and TV can bring on the real thing almost instantly. And, if movies aren’t your thing, there are plenty of sad songs to spark those feelings. [Read: Good cry – 15 sad romantic movies that are a must watch]

14. Sit in the dark

This seems depressing, but isn’t that the point? Turn out the lights in your room. Curl up under the covers and just breathe.

This is almost like meditating, but instead of clearing your mind, you bring up emotions you may be fighting.

If you need a good solid cry just to feel like everything isn’t built up and ready to explode, this will help.

15. Get out of your comfort zone

Sometimes, just finding yourself out of your comfort zone can overwhelm you and make you cry. We’re not talking about an awkward first date, but rather discussing something serious.

Now, you don’t actually have to have this awkward conversation to get the waterworks going. Just convincing yourself that you’re going to bring it up will be enough. [Read: 5 powerful ways to break out of your comfort zone]

16. Eat something spicy

If you have stomach issues, you may want to forego this trick, but if not, it will work wonders. Eat something spicy, and your eyes will water. It is just science.

You can even chew on some raw ginger for something intense that will be easy to hide if you are fake crying.

17. Use eye drops

This is so obvious but so useful. Actors use them all the time. Whether you are fake crying to get out of something, for a show, or just to let out your stress, eye drops will help.

Once your eyes feel the moisture of tears, the sensation will be familiar, and your body will react by following suit.

[Read: 66 really depressing songs that will make you cry and heal you]

Knowing how to make yourself cry isn’t something everyone can do easily. It takes time and the right technique to make it seem realistic or just to work. But these tips will surely help no matter why you need to cry.

Liked what you just read? Follow us on Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest and we promise, we’ll be your lucky charm to a beautiful love life. And while you’re at it, check out MIRL, a cool new social networking app that connects experts and seekers!

Preeti Tewari Serai
Preeti Serai
Preeti, the founder of LovePanky, is an eternal optimist and believer in the beauty of love and life. With an exhaustive experience in love, relationships, and ...