{
  "id": 7759140,
  "title": "The Best Ways to Stop Yourself From Crying",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/the-best-ways-to-stop-yourself-from-crying",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-16T10:00:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Time",
    "slug": "time",
    "url": "https://time.com/article/2026/09/16/how-to-stop-yourself-from-crying/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tears can strike unexpectedly, during important moments like work evaluations or difficult conversations. Instead of pretending to stay composed, there are strategies to control crying, according to psychologists.\n\nOne approach is to act as soon as you notice the first signs of tears, like eye irritation or changes in breathing. Waiting too long makes it harder to stop them. Catching it early can prevent the tears from getting worse.\n\nAnother technique is to control your breathing. Slow, deep breaths can reduce physiological arousal and help prevent tears from flowing. Try inhaling for four counts, holding for seven, and exhaling for eight counts, or simply focus on slow, steady exhalations.\n\nIf you're in a situation where you can, try humming or chanting. These calming activities can help lower your arousal levels and keep the tears at bay.\n\nWhen you feel tears starting, try to focus on neutral sensory details in your environment. Notice the pressure of your chair, the texture of the fabric, or other subtle details. Naming your emotions can also help, acknowledging the feeling without getting lost in it.\n\nIf these techniques fail, it's okay to take a break. Excuse yourself to the restroom, splash water on your face, or take a brief walk. Getting up and moving around can give your nervous system a chance to reset. In some cases, acknowledging the situation by saying \"give me a minute\" can be more calming than trying to hide the tears altogether. This allows you to regain control and address the feeling when the moment is more suitable.",
  "summary": "You can learn to press pause on your tears when now's not a good time.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}