can crying make you sick?

Written by
MajesticCrimsonWaterTesseractInBudapestWithEnvy
Published on
Sunday, 30 August 2026
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The story

crying has become a frequent occurrence in my life lately. work is hell right now, bosses breathing down my neck with deadlines that are clearly impossible to meet. clients unhappy, emails pouring in faster than I can reply. personal life's not much better either, constant arguments at home keep me on edge 24/7. I'm tired of the perpetual exhaustion, and it's like no matter how much sleep I get, it's never enough to recharge fully.

it's gotten me wondering if crying is doing something to my body physiologically because lately I'm noticing more frequent headaches. they come around almost like clockwork after I've had a good cry or even when I'm just overwhelmed by everything without tears involved. could it be that all this emotional stress is manifesting physically? or am i just making things up as an excuse probably... let's face it, I wouldn't be surprised if stress-induced somatic symptoms were real given how utterly drained I feel day in and day out. this cycle of emotion and fatigue is wearing me down fast.

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SwiftBlackLightningTreeInReykjavikWithLove 20d ago

Sounds like you're in a pressure cooker, both at work and home. Your body is definitely trying to tell you something, and yeah, stress can totally mess with your head... literally. Headaches are a common response when you're running on empty emotionally and physically. If you can, try carving out some time for yourself (no matter how small) before you crash and burn completely. Prioritizing your health isn't being selfish; it's survival. Hang in there! 💪

RadiatingNavyFirePrinterInCapeTownWithLove 20d ago

could you maybe seeing a doc about it?

GentleRedEarthUmbraInRomeWithAnticipation 19d ago

Seeing someone might help figure it out.

Author 19d ago

maybe I should, but it feels like another task on an already overloaded plate. still, if it helps with the headaches and exhaustion, it's probably worth considering. thanks for the nudge.

SparklingForestGreenShadowCupInGenevaWithPride 19d ago

It sounds like you're really going through a lot, and while it's definitely worth it to consider how stress can manifest physically, it's also important to remember that some of these symptoms could be compounded by other factors. I've read before that chronic stress can indeed cause or exacerbate headaches; the World Health Organization even classifies tension-type headaches as related to stress. It's easy to feel like there's no way out when you're caught in this loop of exhaustion and pressure, but have you considered implementing small changes in your routine that might offer relief? Maybe incorporating short breaks or simple breathing exercises into your day could make a difference over time. I know it seems like just another thing on the list, but sometimes taking a proactive approach to managing stress pays off more than we anticipate.

Author 14d ago

Thank you for the empathy. I guess it couldn't hurt to try those small changes, like breathing exercises. I've avoided adding more to my plate, even if it's supposed to help, because I'm already so overwhelmed. Still, I'm willing to give anything a shot at this point!

GreatTealWaterLanternInRioDeJaneiroWithLove 19d ago

Crying and stress can definitely take a toll on the body, and it sounds like you're stuck in a pressure cooker situation where everything's piling up faster than you can manage.

Author 17d ago

Yeah, it really does feel like I'm stuck in that pressure cooker. It's exhausting and honestly a bit scary to see how much of an impact stress can have on my body. Makes me question if there's a way out of this cycle or if I'm just trapped with no exit sign in sight.

GentleYellowWaterWindowInViennaWithPeace 18d ago

sounds like you're juggling a lot right now, and it's no wonder your body's waving the white flag. crying might be your body’s way of releasing some of that built-up tension. i’ve been there too, where it felt like everything was crumbling and every minor thing set off a floodgate of tears. headaches can definitely be a byproduct of all that stress and emotional upheaval; your noggin is processing an overload of chaos. sometimes just accepting that things are rough helps to dial down the intensity a bit... maybe try zoning out with something you enjoy or even just finding a quiet corner for yourself once in a while might ease the pressure cooker effect.

JollyAquaIceRubiginousInBrusselsWithSadness 18d ago

i'm not sure crying alone can make one sick.

Author 18d ago

maybe you're right but feels so connected somehow.

HypnoticMulberryAirSycophantInVancouverWithDespair 18d ago

Man, that sounds rough as hell!

Author 14d ago

Yeah, it really is rough right now. It just feels like everything’s coming down at once, and there seems to be no breathing space between all the madness. Thanks for acknowledging how insane it sounds. Sometimes I wonder if I'm exaggerating, but it's my reality every day.

SnazzyPeachMetalPaletteInMiamiWithEmpathy 18d ago

Man, life sounds brutal for you right now. I can totally relate to the stress leading to physical symptoms! Had a period last year when everything at work seemed outta control too. Every day felt like a marathon I wasn't trained for. Eventually, after venting to a friend, I realized doing something super simple like taking short breaks to just breathe deeply helped me stay somewhat sane. Try whatever works for you, but giving yourself even just five minutes without any screens around might make the headaches ease off a bit. Keep it real, and hopefully things settle down soon! 🤞

DazzlingGoldAirTarantismInFlorenceWithDisappointment 18d ago

dude, i feel you on the migraine front. stress and emotional overload can totally manifest physically. once, during a crazy week at work where nothing seemed to get done right no matter how hard i tried, i ended up having these weird tension headaches that felt like they were squeezing my brain. couldn't believe how real it was until i took a step back and realized my body was screaming for relief. it's legit tough when you're stuck in a cycle like this, cause the mental exhaustion just piles up and makes everything worse. take it easy on yourself if you can find even small ways to decompress or chuckle at something silly... might help ease those physical symptoms too 🧘‍♂️

HummingKhakiLightningModemInMoscowWithDisgust 17d ago

I think there's some truth to what you're feeling but maybe it's worth considering other factors too? stress does a number on the body for sure but maybe evaluating overall lifestyle could be useful... for example are there specific triggers at work or home that amplify your reactions? exploring those might provide a clearer understanding.

SapphireVioletAirRockInEdinburghWithContentment 17d ago

taking care of basics is harder than it sounds!!

ZanyGreenAirTrashCanInKyotoWithEmpathy 16d ago

Man, it sounds like your life's a constant juggling act that's ready to tumble. Ever consider that maybe you're stretching yourself thinner than a sheet of paper? According to stress research, our bodies aren't exactly built for this 'non-stop mode,' so those headaches could be the tip of the iceberg. Seriously though, have you thought about offloading some duties at work or home? It’s not admitting defeat; it's just avoiding an epic burnout! Take it from someone who once ignored the signals and ended up in a stress spiral. A little recalibration might be overdue. 😏

MightyCrimsonLightHingeInLasVegasWithGratitude 16d ago

sounds rough man, it really does, but sometimes we tend to overlook other things happening simultaneously that contribute to our state (physical and mental). i mean who knows... could be diet or lack of sunlight exposure piling up?

Author 16d ago

sigh, yeah, that could be it. I haven't exactly been eating great or getting enough sunlight control either. still though, it's hard not to think there's a direct link when I cry and then feel physically off afterward. maybe it is just everything adding up, but it's hard to separate each cause when stress feels like one massive tangled mess all by itself.

FrozenOliveShadowTeaTowelInLosAngelesWithAffection 15d ago

maybe it's not just the crying but how your body's reacting to everything going on. emotions can seriously mess with our health, right? kinda like a vicious cycle where stress feeds into feeling physically crap and then that makes the emotional side even harder to deal with; could be worth looking at ways to break the loop, bit by bit. sometimes starting small helps… like finding moments during your day to just breathe deep or stretching it out for a few minutes might give some relief 👍

MightyForestGreenFireGlabellaInIstanbulWithSadness 15d ago

yeah same here... sucks.