How Many Calories Does Crying Burn? The Surprising Truth

Ever sat through a sad movie, felt a real gut-punch, and wondered if those tears were doing anything for your waistline? That curious thought — “how many calories does crying burn?” — pops into people’s heads more often than you’d think. Between emotional relief and the physical act of sobbing, is crying a secret calorie burner or just a comforting release? Let’s break it down in plain language and give you practical fitness and wellness tips that actually move the needle.

How many calories does crying burn? The science in simple terms

Crying is a mix of emotional and physical responses: changes in heart rate, breathing, and facial muscle activity. But in terms of energy expenditure, crying is a very light activity. The best way to estimate calories burned is to use METs (metabolic equivalents), a standard method fitness professionals use to compare activities.

What are METs and how we estimate calories

One MET equals your energy use at rest. Light activities are about 1.3–2.0 METs. If we conservatively estimate crying at about 1.3–1.8 METs, we can plug that into the formula:

Calories per minute = MET × 3.5 × weight (kg) / 200

• Example (70 kg person, moderate crying ~1.5 METs): ~1.84 kcal/min → ~18 kcal for 10 minutes.
• Example (60 kg person, 1.5 METs): ~1.58 kcal/min → ~16 kcal for 10 minutes.
• Example (80 kg person, 1.5 METs): ~2.1 kcal/min → ~21 kcal for 10 minutes.

Important: those are total calories burned during crying, not extra calories above resting. Compared to sitting quietly (about 1 MET), the additional energy burned by crying is small — often only a handful of extra calories per 10–15 minutes.

Factors that change the calorie cost

• Duration: Quick tears for a minute burn almost nothing; prolonged sobbing for 20–30 minutes has a measurable effect.
• Intensity: Loud sobbing with rapid breathing increases heart rate and slightly raises calorie burn versus quiet tears.
• Body weight: Heavier people burn more calories for the same activity.
• Baseline metabolism: If you’re already active or your resting metabolic rate is higher, absolute numbers shift a bit.

Real-world examples — what the math looks like

To make this tangible, here are a few scenarios using a 70 kg (154 lb) person as a reference and a moderate crying MET of 1.5:

• Quick cry (5 minutes): ~9 kcal total — basically negligible.
• Moderate crying (10 minutes): ~18 kcal — equivalent to a 2–3 minute walk at a slow pace.
• Prolonged sobbing (30 minutes): ~55 kcal — similar to a short gentle yoga session.

Bottom line: crying burns calories, but not many. It’s not a weight-loss strategy, and you won’t replace a workout with an emotional episode. The real value of crying is emotional processing and stress release, which can indirectly help your health goals by reducing stress-related eating and improving sleep.

Emotional and wellness benefits: why tears still matter

Crying can reduce stress hormones, provide emotional relief, and help you process feelings — all valuable for mental health. Better mental health supports healthier choices: more consistent workouts, better sleep, and improved eating patterns. So while tears don’t torch calories like a run, they can be part of a healthy lifestyle.

Healthy habits that actually boost calorie burn and mood

• Short cardio bursts: 15–20 minutes of brisk walking or cycling increases calorie burn and immediate mood via endorphins.
• HIIT variations: 10–15 minute high-intensity intervals 2–3 times a week — excellent for fat loss and mood.
• Mind-body work: Yoga or deep-breathing flows (20–30 minutes) reduce stress hormones and improve recovery.
• Consistent sleep and hydration: Better sleep amplifies workout performance and metabolic health.

For detailed programming, check out our workout routines and tailored plans that lift mood and burn calories efficiently.

Practical fitness tips and workout variations to complement emotional health

Think of crying as one part of a bigger emotional-health toolkit. Combine it with movement and nutrition for better outcomes.

Quick mood-boosting workouts

• 10-minute walk + 5 minutes of deep breathing: easy on any day after emotional moments.
• 20-minute HIIT: 30 sec hard / 30 sec rest × 15 rounds — fast mood lift and calorie burn.
• 30-minute restorative yoga: stretches, breath work, and gentle movement to reset the nervous system.

Nutrition and lifestyle tips for emotional resilience

• Focus on whole foods: protein, healthy fats, fiber-rich carbs stabilize blood sugar and mood.
• Include omega-3 sources (nuts, fatty fish) and magnesium-rich foods (leafy greens, legumes) that support brain health.
• Limit excess caffeine and alcohol after emotional episodes — they can worsen anxiety and sleep.

For meal ideas and mood-supporting plans, see our nutrition guides.

When crying becomes a concern

If you regularly cry for long periods, feel persistently down, or your emotional state interferes with daily life, reach out to a mental health professional. Emotional health is as important as physical health, and professional help is a strong, effective tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does crying help you lose weight?

Not in any meaningful way. Crying burns only a few calories even when prolonged. Weight loss requires sustained calorie deficit through diet and increased activity. Emotional release from crying can indirectly help weight loss by reducing stress-eating and improving sleep.

2. How many calories does crying burn compared to exercise?

Far fewer. A 30-minute brisk walk might burn 150–200 kcal depending on weight and speed; 30 minutes of crying likely burns under 60 kcal. Exercise improves cardiovascular fitness, muscle mass, and metabolism — benefits crying alone won’t provide.

3. Can emotional release like crying improve workout performance?

Yes—indirectly. Processing emotions can reduce stress and improve sleep and motivation. When you’re less stressed and better rested, your performance in training sessions typically improves.

Conclusion — so, how many calories does crying burn?

In short: crying does burn calories, but the amount is small. For most people, a short crying episode equals only a few calories — analogous to a very brief walk or quiet rest. The real power of tears is emotional: stress relief, mood regulation, and the potential to improve behaviors that support long-term fitness. Combine emotional care with intentional movement, quality sleep, and balanced nutrition to get the best results.

Ready to channel emotion into action? Try a calming 10-minute walk after a tough moment, explore our wellness tips, or pick a short feel-good workout from our workout routines. If this article helped, sign up for more practical fitness and wellness advice — and remember, taking care of your mental health is part of your fitness journey.