When you have an intense cry, you might feel really awful when it’s done. This can include burning eyes, dry mouth, runny nose and headache after crying. These things are all perfectly normal, so while you might feel better emotionally, you are probably going to be aching a bit physically. Here’s why so many of these things happen, and what you can do to feel better fast.
Why Do You Have Headache After Crying?
When you cry, your body is doing all sorts of things that work together to make you feel awful when it’s done. Here’s why you get a headache and other symptoms.
- Stress Hormones
When you start sobbing, stress hormones are released. These hormones naturally cause changes in your body, including headaches. For some it is a light headache, for others, it’s as bad as a migraine.
- Becoming Dehydrated
Tears flowing down your cheeks are filled with water, so you are losing a little bit of hydration with each one. The problem starts when you have a really hard, long cry. That’s when dehydration might set in, no matter how slight, and give you a headache.
- Sinus Issues
Tears wind up going into the nasal cavity, which is why you feel that stinging and burning that often comes with crying. They can also lead to a runny nose. Some people are very sensitive to things like this, and the result is a headache.
- Inflammation
Crying releases those stress hormones, and it also leads to inflammation in the body, which then irritates the facial nerves. These facial nerves are often associated with migraine and other serious headaches. As the inflammation in your body increases, you feel awful all over, which explains the aches and pains of a good crying session.
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Headache After Crying
Having a good cry can be a great release of stress and anxiety. It can help alleviate sadness and fear. But it can also leave you with a pounding headache. Here’s how to prevent a headache after one cries.
1. Rest if You Can
If you can sleep, now is the time. Sleeping it off will help you get rid of the headache and when you wake up, you will probably feel refreshed from the cry.
2. Drinking 
Water
Remember that point about dehydration? Now is the time to hydrate like crazy. Drink water to help you get over that pounding that comes from dehydration. Never drink alcohol after a cry, as it will make you feel worse.
3. Analgesic Medicine
Take over the counter medications for headaches, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and the like. But do this only occasionally, as constant crying can be a sign of something more serious, such as depression, and that deserves treatment – not just popping a pill.
4. Head Massage
Sometimes a firm massage on the temples will help ease the stress and relieve the headache. You can even get in the shower and shampoo your hair, using your fingertips to really massage your scalp, and get comfort that way.
The video shows for massage techniques to relieve headache after crying:
5. Meditation
Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Try to find a quiet space where you can simply focus on your breathing. This might help the headaches ease, and give you time to clear your mind, too. Eat Well
6. Eat Well
There is a reason that comfort food is so popular. Go back to the things that you loved as a kid, like mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. These things will make a big difference in how you feel, and the food will help ease your headache.
7. Exercise
Take a long walk to help alleviate the crying and the headache. You can also do some slow stretching exercises while taking slow, measured breaths. Sometimes just getting outside to breathe in the fresh air can give you a new perspective.
8. Play to Divert Attention
It sounds counterintuitive, but it works: Play jigsaw puzzles or brain games to get your mind off what made you cry, as well as help you forget about the pain of the headache. With a little time, the ache will be gone.