Exercise might make you cry (in a good way)

by Jonathon Morgan (Subscribe to Jonathon Morgan's posts)
Oct 2nd 2007 11:33AM

Categories: Stress Reduction, Fitness, Motivation

I went to acting school, where you're regularly asked to do move your body and use your voice in ways that you probably haven't before. Our teachers would warn us that, during these exercises, we might "release" something that would make us suddenly burst into tears. Honestly, I assumed this was only because we were a bunch of over-dramatic college students, but apparently this can happen to anyone.

According to this MSNBC article, all of us "use our bodies to tense up against pain or negative experiences," and during exercise we often release these pent-up emotions. Therefore, it's not uncommon for people to cry during yoga, Pilates, or other workouts categorized as "body-mind."

There's a few different explanations for why the body needs an emotional release to coincide with a physical one, but, regardless of the why it happens, it's important to remember that it's OK. The tears are normal, and, chances are, you'll feel better afterward.

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Comments (9)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Rush Cole 10-09-2007 @ 8:45PM

Belly dancing is another form of exercise that made me weep in the middle of a class. The teacher explained that, in western societies, neither women, nor men, are accustomed to moving their torsos in a relaxed manner, especially their pelvises. After a life time of not doing so, working to loosen muscles, not to mention mental attitudes against swinging the hips, is liable to bring up old emotional flotsam. Add to that the fact that many people have been sexually abused in the past and are still carrying guilt, pain, and anger. The good news is that, given patience and time, suppressed emotions will eventually clear out of the physical body, leaving it healthier, more flexible, and definitely freer.

flissa 10-09-2007 @ 9:10PM

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A healthy diet and exercise are all too important. It is also important to make sure you get all of your necessary nutrients, relax and exercise all major muscle groups, and work on your psychological health as well. No point being slim and unhappy, Whole body and mind health is what we should all shoot for!

mike n 10-09-2007 @ 10:46PM

No pain, no gain!

wushu2129 10-09-2007 @ 11:32PM

I had this first happen to me when I was taking ballet at the time. Out of nowhere while at the barre performing releve it just happend. Very cool. I'm a male and at the time, 23 years old and worked in construction and a competitive karate blackbelt fighter believe it or not.

Oriella 10-10-2007 @ 12:06AM

I don't know if this is the same thing. But during and after sex, I always cry a lot. It seems weird but I confuse my boyfriend a lot with this. He gets so concerned and does'nt know if he's pleasing or hurting me. I have to tell him it just happens and he's doing a great job. It also builds his ego. Now he thinks he's a stallion.

Rob The Wize 10-10-2007 @ 12:31AM

I've seen a lot of women cry after a workout. They get on the scale and realize they're still fat.

smarteepantz 10-10-2007 @ 3:17AM

It can also be a sign of exhaustion and/or dehydration...

West Virginian 10-10-2007 @ 5:30AM

When I look up a mountainside, I cry knowing I have a workout coming to get to the top

laprns 10-10-2007 @ 5:39AM

This happens to me when I have had an emotionally charged day and an intense resistance workout. I get an adrenaline rush about 30-40 minutes into it and then about 20 minutes later, I'll feel tears running down my face (along with sweat). I always figured the 2 went hand in hand. The first time it happened, I had no idea what the heck was going on but I knew I felt better afterward. I've heard some call it a meltdown and others just call it catharsis.