Crying is a complex physical response orchestrated by the nervous system that requires a measurable expenditure of energy. To understand the caloric cost, one must look at the body’s energy consumption above its resting state during this physiological and emotional event.
The Calculation of Calorie Burn
Crying is categorized as a low-intensity, non-exercise activity, meaning energy expenditure is only slightly elevated above the basal metabolic rate (BMR). The BMR represents the calories burned simply to keep the body functioning at rest, covering processes like breathing and blood circulation. A commonly cited estimate suggests that crying burns an additional 1.3 calories per minute.
This additional expenditure translates to roughly 78 extra calories burned during an hour of moderate to intense crying. This figure is the amount above what a person would have burned simply sitting still. The energy required is minimal because the body is not engaging in large-scale skeletal muscle movement, which is the primary driver of high caloric burn.
The total calories burned during a crying session would be the individual’s BMR for that hour plus the additional 78 calories. For an average adult, the BMR might account for 70 to 100 calories per hour, making the total caloric output approximately 148 to 178 calories per hour, depending on their size. This number is highly variable because the intensity of the emotional release—from silent tears to vigorous sobbing—significantly impacts the physical effort involved.
Physiological Components of Energy Expenditure
The modest increase in caloric expenditure during crying is driven by several distinct physiological changes and muscle engagements. The physical act of crying, particularly when it involves sobbing, requires the contraction and relaxation of numerous muscles not typically engaged during quiet rest. Over 43 facial muscles are recruited to produce the characteristic expressions associated with emotional tears, which creates significant localized energy use.
Intense crying involves rhythmic contractions of the diaphragm, the primary muscle responsible for breathing, along with the engagement of core and intercostal muscles. This heavy breathing and gasping pattern requires more oxygen and energy compared to normal, quiet respiration. The body’s nervous system also plays a role, as the onset of crying is often associated with a temporary increase in sympathetic nervous system activity, known as the “fight or flight” response.
This sympathetic activation causes a minor, temporary elevation in heart rate and respiration rate, further increasing the body’s metabolic demand. The production of emotional tears may also be a factor, as they are chemically distinct from reflex tears and may contain higher concentrations of stress-related hormones like cortisol. The body works to process and eliminate these stress compounds, and this metabolic processing contributes to the overall energy expenditure.
Comparing Crying to Other Passive Activities
To put the caloric burn of crying into perspective, it is helpful to compare the 78 additional calories per hour to other common passive or low-effort activities. Sleeping, which represents the body’s lowest metabolic state, typically burns between 40 and 55 calories per hour for an average adult. Crying’s additional burn is higher than the rate of sleeping, but it is comparable to other minor activities.
Sitting quietly, such as watching television or typing, is estimated to have a Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) value that results in a total burn of around 93 to 139 calories per hour, depending on the person’s size. The additional energy expended from crying (78 calories per hour) is similar to the energy added by a low-effort activity like light conversation or gentle fidgeting. The caloric expenditure is also similar to that of sustained laughter, which is estimated at about 1.3 calories per minute.
Ultimately, the energy burned during an hour of crying is minimal and negligible when considered against a person’s Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE). The process is not a meaningful form of exercise, and it does not significantly contribute to weight loss goals. The primary benefit of crying is emotional regulation and stress relief, not caloric expenditure.