How to Stop Crying in Front of People

Some people are more prone to tears than others and sometimes those salty drops of water can flow at the most inopportune moments even when you’re at work or in a crowd of people. Although it can be therapeutic to release emotions, bursting into tears in front of your supervisor is probably not going to earn you a quick promotion. If you have a difficult time holding back the tears when you’re with a group of people, here are some steps you can take to “save face”:

Pinch Tourself

When you’re talking to someone important or to a group of people and you feel the tears coming on, take the fingers of one hand and firmly pinch yourself sharply so that it hurts. This works by activating the portion of the brain that’s responsible for impulse control and can immediately put a stop to an impending crying attack. Just don’t pinch yourself so hard that the pain increases your impulse to cry.

Walk Away

If you’re engaged in an emotional conversation with other people and you feel the threat of tears, quickly smile and excuse yourself. Let the group know you’ll be back shortly. Take a brisk walk up and down the hall while breathing deeply. Chances are this short break will allow you to get your thoughts together so that a crying attack can be avoided.

Make a Face

The next time you feel the tears starting to flow, shift your jaw forward sharply. This type of facial posturing is incompatible with crying and will usually stop an impending crying spell quickly and effectively. In fact, making any kind of face can be effective in stopping the tears. Just make sure the face you make isn’t so obvious it draws more attention to you.

Take a Sip of Water

Always try to have a cup of water nearby if you’re in a situation that might bring on tears. When you feel like crying, take a long sip of cold water instead. This will usually stop a crying spell quickly and effectively. Why does this work? It may simply be the power of distraction.

Mentally Recite a Favorite Poem

The next time the conversation threatens to make you sensitive and bring on the tears, mentally recite your favorite poem from beginning to end. This will help to distract you from a hurtful situation. Have a poem ready to recite when these sticky occasions arise.

Even if you take the above measures and the tears still flow, try not to be embarrassment. Tears can be a natural physiological response to an emotional trigger. Let your audience know that conversations like this sometimes cause you to shed a few tears and that they shouldn’t be concerned. This will put everyone at ease and no one will feel you’re less of a person for crying in public.