12 Easy Tips on How to Stop Headache After Crying

Last updated on July 4th, 2024 at 12:24 pm

Crying is a natural and healthy way to release your emotions. But you know what, sometimes it leaves you with an unwanted side effect – a headache. If you’ve ever experienced a headache after crying, you know how frustrating and uncomfortable it can be. But don’t worry, there are ways to stop a headache after crying, which are really simple, easy, and yet effective.

In this blog post, we’ll explore why crying can cause headaches, and most importantly, how to stop a headache after crying. Whether you’re prone to tears or just looking for some helpful tips, this blog has answers to all those queries.

I will provide valuable tips, home remedies, and suggestions to alleviate and prevent this problem. By applying these techniques, you can better manage post-cry headaches while maintaining emotional well-being.

Why do I always get a headache after crying?

Crying is a natural release mechanism.

When you cry, your body expels emotions, water, and electrolytes. This dehydration can be a potential trigger for headaches after crying, triggering the discomfort you’re already feeling.

You must understand that many physiological events happen after you cry or during crying which makes your head hurt after crying. Before going to the solutions please know what happens when you cry.

1. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance

Crying leads to the loss of many bodily fluids and electrolytes, through tears. Your tears contain not only water but also salts, enzymes, and proteins. This loss of essential body nutrients disrupts the balance of electrolytes, including sodium and potassium in the body.

Electrolytes are essential for maintaining proper nerve and muscle function. The imbalance of electrolytes makes you feel sick after crying.

2. Vasodilation and blood flow

Crying can lead to increased blood flow and vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) in certain areas of the head and skull, including the eyes and forehead.

This causes a rush of blood to the head, which creates increased pressure and a splitting headache after crying.

3. Release of stress hormones

Emotional crying triggers the release of certain stress hormones, which include cortisol. These hormones are a natural response to emotional stress. They can also affect blood vessels and contribute to crying headaches.

Cortisol also causes blood vessels to constrict and then dilate, this leads to changes in blood flow that are associated with headaches and can trigger headaches including sinus headaches after crying.

4. Sinus congestion

Crying can lead to increased production of tears, nasal congestion, and sinus drainage.

When the sinuses become congested due to increased tear production, it can create pressure within the head, leading to congestion in sinus areas around the skull. This creates hydrostatic pressure in the sinuses which leads to headaches after crying.

5. Tension and muscle strain

Crying can lead to tension in the facial muscles, neck, and shoulders.

This tension causes headaches, especially tension-type headaches. Tension headache is a dull, steady pain felt on both sides of the head.

6. Light sensitivity

Crying and emotional distress can make individuals more sensitive to light. This condition is known as photophobia.

Increased sensitivity to light can cause or increase headaches. Especially if the individual is exposed to bright lights after crying.

Above all are the scientific explanations about the events that happen when you cry. Now let’s see some tips and techniques to alleviate this problem and how to get rid of a headache from crying.

Know how to stop a headache after crying

1. Hydration

To get rid of headaches after crying, maintaining hydration should be your most straightforward remedy. According to the study published in current pain and headache reports dehydration can cause various types of headaches.

Adequate water intake helps replenish the fluids and electrolytes lost through tears and stop headaches after crying.

So, the next time you experience a crying feeling, remember to follow it up with drinking a glass of water. Choose hydrating fluids over sugary or caffeinated drinks. Caffeinated drinks increase dehydration and then headaches.

2. Relaxation

After an emotional release, your head hurts so much due to crying, that your body tries to recover. Find a silent and tranquil space where you can relax. Sit over there for some time till you feel lighthearted and relaxed.

You can also lie down, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. Allow your mind and body to fully relax. This will help to stop headaches after crying. Engaging in these relaxation practices significantly headaches after crying.

3. Cold compress

When you feel a headache after crying, a cold compress gives you instant relief and I think is one of the best solutions. This solution for sure reduces your headache after crying.

The coldness helps in constricting blood vessels and reducing inflammation. So, it provides relief from the throbbing pain.

Do a simple method. Dip a piece of cloth in cold water and apply to your forehead for around 15 minutes. This will provide instant relief for headaches after crying.

Trust me. It acts literally like magic.

4. Aromatherapy

Aroma means smell. Engaging yourself in the senses can little bit distract you from your headache after crying. Being in a fresh and aromatic environment helps you calm your body and mind. This will trigger a physiologic change in the body which helps to get relief from headaches.

• Engaging in aromatherapy is a wonderful approach to many psychological stresses and to stop headaches after crying.

• Essential oils like lavender and peppermint have soothing properties that bring calmness to your mind and relief to your headache.

• Add a few drops of these oils to a diffuser or mix them with a carrier oil and gently massage your forehead.

5. Gentle neck stretches

When tension accumulates in the neck and shoulder muscles, it creates a headache.

• Doing simple, gentle neck stretches into your routine gives you relief.
• Tilt your head to the side, by bringing your ear close to your shoulder, and hold for 15 seconds on one side. Do it for each side.
• Additionally, rolling your shoulders backward and forward can help release tension.

6. Managing light and noise sensitivity

After crying, your senses might become more sensitive. It makes your senses more sensitive to light and noise which makes you vulnerable to headaches.

Dimming the lights and minimizing exposure to loud sounds can prevent your headache from worsening due to increased sensitization.

This sensitivity management can go a long way in headache prevention and can stop headaches after crying.

7. Herbal teas

Certain herbal teas are used for their ability to lower headaches after crying.

For example, chamomile and ginger tea boosts anti-inflammatory effects that can provide relief. Prepare a cup of these teas and drink whenever possible.

8. Caffeine (use wisely)

Caffeine has a complex relationship with headaches after crying. But coffee for sure will stop headaches after crying.

In real, it can constrict blood vessels and reduce pain.

However, excessive caffeine consumption can lead to dependency and trigger headaches. If you’re a regular caffeine consumer, consider gradually reducing your intake to assess its impact.

9. Stay mindful of your emotions

Being aware of your emotions can prevent excessive crying and further headaches. Recognize when your emotions are deepening and use healthy and conscious ways to express them.

Instead of suppressing your feelings, open up to a friend, family member, or therapist who can listen and understand you.

10. Practice stress-reducing techniques

Stress is a frequent trigger for headaches after crying. Crying is like heightened deep emotional stress. Engaging in stress-reduction activities can impact post-cry headache frequency and intensity.

Activities such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation can equip you with effective stress management tools and stop headaches after crying.

11. Over the Counter pain relievers

After employing these remedies, if headaches after crying do not stop, you can consider over-the-counter pain relievers for instant relief.

Medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce headache pain.

Remember to use it relatively and consult a healthcare professional before starting any new medication.

12. Consult your healthcare professional

If you find that post-cry headaches continue even after you try the above tips and remedies, it’s wise to consult a healthcare professional.

Chronic headaches could indicate an underlying health issue that requires attention. A medical expert can conduct a thorough evaluation of your condition.

How do I know if my headache is from stress?

Determining whether your headache is due to stress or any other reason, sometimes can be difficult. There are some signs and factors you should keep in mind when you are stuck with such a question.

Here is how you can know whether your headache is due to stress or any other reason,

• It typically occurs during stressful conditions.
• It feels like a dull pain around your head.
• The associated symptoms could be anxiety, irritability, and muscle tension.
• Often lasts for some hours only, but gets worse by lack of sleep, and meals.

When should I be worried about a headache?

Most of the headaches are general, which means the causes they have are not very serious level. Some headaches need urgent medical attention. Let’s see when you should be worried about headaches.

Headaches are of serious concern if the headache is,

• Severe and sudden
• Occurs frequently
• Accompanied with other symptoms such as fainting, fever, vomiting, tingling sensation, and numbness.
• You had a recent head injury.
• Don’t subside after taking OTC medicines.

Let’s conclude

There are many strategies and tips to alleviate headaches after crying. Like I have given them in this blog. But it is also important to identify and address the underlying causes of your emotional distress. This includes such as seeking support from loved ones or speaking with a therapist.

Plus, practicing self-care techniques like hydrating, resting in a dark and quiet environment, and applying a cold compress provides you relief from your headache after crying.

At last, I would recommend consulting a healthcare professional if headaches persist or get worse frequently. For further guidance or to share your own experiences, please leave a comment below.

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