So, you want to make yourself cry. You might have many reasons for wanting to cry on command. Maybe you’re shooting a scene or performing on stage. Or maybe you’re feeling really sad and you know that crying and getting it all out will make you feel better. There are multiple reasons you might want to make yourself cry.
Here are 8 ways to make yourself cry:
1) Think of Something Sad that Happened to You
A great way to force yourself to cry is to think about something sad that has happened in your past. Try to really relive the moment. Put yourself back into that experience when the sad thing happened and you may feel the emotions pouring back in.
Maybe you had a painful breakup that can bring tears to your eyes. Maybe you lost someone, maybe you lost a pet. When using this method just be careful not to make yourself depressed.
Thinking of a sad past event can help you relive the experience and make you cry
2) Listen to Sad Music
Listening to sad music can put you in a sad mood and make you more likely to cry. Is there a song that always makes you tear up? Play it. Let the mood of the song overcome you and let yourself react to it. This can be a great way to get the waterworks flowing.
Listening to a sad song can put yourself in a place mentally where you are more likely to cry
3) Think About a Sad Movie
If you’re at home and want to cry, you can actually watch a sad movie. But, if you’re on stage, or shooting a scene you will have to let your imagination do the work. When you’re trying to get yourself to cry, really try to imagine yourself as the movie character. Try to feel what they feel.
Empathizing with a character in a sad movie is a great way to get the tears flowing
4) Put Yourself In Your Characters Shoes
This one is mostly relevant to actors. If you’re shooting a sad scene and you’re having trouble getting the tears out, try to really imagine yourself as the character you are playing. What is the sad scene? How would you respond? Really try to live in your characters shoes and experience it the way they would.
Imagining your characters life as your own can really cause you to tear up
5) Cut Onions
Again, this tip is mostly for actors and models who need to cry for a shoot or play. A tried and true method is to chop onions. Onions releases an enzyme that makes us tear up when it comes into contact with our eyes. If you need to fake cry, keep some onions on hand and chop them up quickly for an easy way to get the tears flowing.
Cutting onions is a surefire way to cause yourself to tear up
6) Yawn
If you’re having trouble tearing up, yawning might just do the trick. When we yarn the muscles is the face can tighten and cause you to release tears. It might take several big yawns to get your eyes watery, but it can be a great way to make it look like you’re crying when it works
Yawning can cause your eyes to release tears
7) Menthol
Actors that work in film and television shows have a variety of methods to make it look like they’re crying. One method that is frequently used is applying a menthol tear stick or spray. When a menthol stick is used, a small amount is applied just below the eyes. It can cause you to tear up almost immediately. This is a great method to use when other ways just aren’t working
Applying a menthol tear stick just below the eyes will cause your eyes to water very quickly
8) Eyedrops
If none of the above methods are working you may have to resort to eye drops. You can pick up eye drops at most general stores. Add a few drops to your eyes before your scene and it may appear like you are crying
Using eye drops is an easy method to make it appear you are crying
In conclusion, when you want to cry but can’t there are a number of methods you can use. We’ve covered several ways to get yourself to actually start crying by making yourself sad, and when that doesn’t work we’ve also covered a few ways to make it look like you’re crying. Whether you’re just trying to feel better and cry out all the sadness, or you have a scene to shoot, we’re confident one of the above methods will work for you. Remember, practice makes perfect! Good luck.