Believe it or not, crying over an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend can help you lose weight. And this doesn’t apply to just your typical breakup. Emotional crying, in general, is a great way to lose some pounds. Granted, it doesn’t work as well if you put the pounds back on by wrapping yourself in a comforter and cry eating ice cream. As a matter of fact, there is actually some science to back this claim up.
The Science Behind it All
The tears you shed after an emotional breakup are the key to this weight loss claim. The tears you shed at these times actually contain the hormones, including prolactin, leu-enkephalin, and andrenocoticotpin that increase levels of cortisol in your body. By releasing these hormones in your tears, you are in effect reducing the amount of cortisol in your body.
Cortisol and Stress
Your body produces cortisol whenever you feel stress. This stress could stem from a variety of factors, including outside threats, an increase in the amount of work at your job, and stressful situations, such as a breakup. Consuming large quantities of caffeine can also boost your body’s production of cortisol.
In some cases, you might eat your feelings during a breakup. This only leads to the cortisol remaining in your body, causing you to gain weight. So, in truth, crying after a breakup is good for you both physically and emotionally. The reduced levels of cortisol also are a signal to your body that it no longer has to retain fat as the situation causing the stress is now over.
Only Real Tears Work
For this to work, though, you have to cry real tears of sadness. Trying to fake it won’t work. In fact, if you are able to somehow make yourself cry, the tears wouldn’t contain the hormones that cause increased levels of cortisol in your body, and so the cortisol levels would remain the same.
The Best Time to Cry
When asked when the best time of day was to cry in this fashion is between the hours of 7 and 10 p.m. Researchers say this is the time when you are most likely to be around family, who can give you a shoulder to cry on. It is also during these hours that you are more likely to catch a movie that can make you cry.
Other Ways to Reduce Cortisol Levels in the Body
In addition to crying, there are some other steps you can take to reduce the levels of cortisol in your body. Two of the easiest are to eat a healthy and balanced diet, and get plenty of exercise. Foods that reduce cortisol levels include dark chocolate, bananas, and green tea. Engaging in light, physical activity can also decrease cortisol levels. Be careful not to exercise too hard or your cortisol levels could actually increase.
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Another step you can take to reduce your body’s cortisol levels is to get plenty of sleep. Experts recommend getting at least 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep each night. You can also use relaxation techniques during your day, including meditation, breathing exercises, and mindfulness.
