Crying is a universal emotional response, often associated with a wide range of feelings. While common, many people wonder about its physical effects on the body, specifically if it can cause an increase in temperature.
How the Body Regulates Temperature
The human body maintains a stable internal temperature through thermoregulation. This system ensures core body temperature remains within a narrow range, typically around 98.6°F (37°C). The hypothalamus, a small region in the brain, acts as the body’s thermostat, constantly monitoring temperature and initiating responses to maintain this balance.
When the body needs to cool down, the hypothalamus triggers mechanisms like sweating, where moisture cools the skin as it evaporates. It also causes vasodilation, the widening of blood vessels near the skin’s surface, increasing blood flow to radiate heat away. Conversely, to warm up, the body can reduce blood flow through vasoconstriction, or generate heat through shivering and increased metabolic activity.
Crying and Core Body Temperature
While crying involves physical and emotional exertion, it generally does not lead to a significant or sustained increase in core body temperature. The body’s thermoregulatory mechanisms quickly compensate for any minor, temporary fluctuations. Crying activates the sympathetic nervous system, often called the “fight-or-flight” response, which leads to immediate physiological changes.
These responses include a temporary increase in heart rate and muscle tension. However, while sympathetic activity may increase at the onset of crying, the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for promoting rest and relaxation, also becomes active. This balance helps restore physiological equilibrium. Any slight temperature increase due to the physical effort of crying is typically mild and short-lived, as the body works to prevent a rise in core temperature.
Understanding the Feeling of Warmth
Many individuals report feeling warm or flushed when crying, even though their core body temperature does not significantly rise. This sensation is often due to increased blood flow to the face and skin. Emotional responses, including crying, can cause the blood vessels in the face to dilate, leading to a flushed appearance and a feeling of warmth. This is similar to blushing, which occurs when emotions like embarrassment or stress cause blood vessels to widen.
Muscle tension in the face and body during crying can also contribute to a localized feeling of warmth. The emotional intensity accompanying strong feelings can create a subjective perception of heat. This feeling of warmth is a localized, temporary physiological response and differs from an actual, measurable increase in the body’s internal core temperature, which the thermoregulatory system prevents.