How to stop crying? Helpful tips which you can use if you can't stop crying

Think positive, focus, think about the stuff that made you cry, laugh and smile are some of the vague and unpractical tips that you may come across while looking for answers to the question, how to stop crying. Let's put all that psychological jazz aside for a moment and look at real and actual things that you can do if you can't stop crying. It's time you said goodbye to those nasty tears.

1) Watch a funny video

A very tender and depressing emotional moment may have caused the tears to roll down your cheek and watching a funny video may not fit in the frame of mind you currently are in. But that's exactly what you want to do – challenging your current state of mind. Go to YouTube and look for funny videos and start watching one after another epic viral video that has put millions of viewers in fits of laughter. Whether it is the baby panda sneezing, Charlie bit my finger, funny office prank videos, David after the dentist, Slow loris getting tickled or the cute Hahaha baby.

2) Sob to the fullest and let everything out quickly

If you are in a moment when you just can't seem to stop crying no matter how hard you try, trying to hold back tears may actually work against you. Sometimes, emotions need to be let out. Cry and sob like a baby and just let it all out, even if it means moaning and screaming to the fullest. If have a friend who you can speak to on the phone, call him/her and cry your heart out. The term 'shoulder to cry on' has been around since centuries, and this is why. In no time your head will feel lighter and you will be on track to becoming normal again.

3) Wash your face and step out of the house

While this tip may not be the best thing to practice if you are sobbing heavily already, it may be the ideal way to stop crying when the tears have just started rolling down your cheeks. Here's how.

• Immediately go to the toilet and rinse off your eyes.
• If you like, you can use a nice face wash to give yourself the whiff of a soothing fragrance and the tantalizing freshness of a face wash.
• Gently dab your face with a napkin. Don't look into the mirror yet because a messy look can aggravate a sad situation.
• Run to your wardrobe and find something nice yet casual to put on.
• Once dressed, give yourself a quick check in the mirror and head out.
• Grab your laptop, iPad or any other mobile device and just hang out alone at your favorite local cafe, sip on your lovely coffee or whichever drink is your fancy, and soak up on some much needed alone time.

4) Eat or drink something hot or cold

Very hot or cold food items can distract your mind away from dwelling deeper and deeper into the emotional whirlpool because of which you can't stop crying. Whether you fancy a hot cup of cappuccino, tea or a bowl of yummy chocolate ice-cream, simply indulge into your hot or cold gastronomic delight and drown your tears away in the blissful taste.

A great idea is to switch on the TV, grab your coffee/ice-cream and just sit there. It really does not matter whether your favorite show is on or not. Your already dazed state of mind, combined with the pleasure of food and the rambling of the TV should get you out of the rut of crying and put you in your comfort zone for a while. But make sure you stop munching when the blues go away.

5) Take long and deep breaths for a few minutes

Long and deep breaths increase the oxygen supply to your body. You really don't need a rocket scientist to tell you that an increased supply of oxygen is great for you. Breathing deeply will give you a sense of calm and increased awareness of your own actions. Your body will immediately feel relaxed. You can even close your else while you do this and focus on only and only your breathing to take your mind away from the hurt that you are going through.

6) Lose yourself in soft music

Music heals the soul, they say. If you want to stop crying by letting melodies take over your senses, grab your iPod or better yet if you have a music system at home, put on some soothing music and kick back on the sofa. Chill-out, Classical, Instrumental and Sufi are some of the genres of music that may work wonders and calm you down.

If you like, you can grab a nice glass of wine, some chocolate and spend the day listening to soothing music, reading books and being the ultimate couch potato. The only thing that you want to watch out for is to avoid playing a song or a track that reminds you of memories which can further aggravate your emotional outburst.

7) Pamper yourself and give your body a beauty or grooming session

A beauty session for the ladies or a grooming session for the men is an awesome way to immediately feeling better and to stop crying. The reason is quite simple. Such sessions make us feel good about our bodies and there are fewer other things that can boost confidence levels the way such sessions would. Women can indulge in a girly beauty session while the guys can indulge in some more manly body hair grooming sessions.

8) Close your eyes and lie down for a while

If your sobbing has not gone up to an extreme level, a quick power nap may be the answer to rejuvenating yourself, mentally and physically. If you've just cried, chances are that your eyes need some rest. And a nap may be the perfect answer to heavy eyes and an easy solution to the mother of all questions, 'how to stop crying'.

While a nap may not come naturally in an emotionally tender state, just lie down and close your eyes. If you like, try covering your eyes with a towel dipped in cold water if its summer and hot water if its winter. If like experimenting, you can use slices of cucumber or even dab the pockets of your eyes with an ice cube covered in a thick cloth.

9) Go take a bath to feel better

Whether you like standing in the shower or you like lounging in the bathtub, go take a bath to wash off your sorrows. A nice hot bath can relax the muscles in your body and can leave you with a soothing feeling, just what you need to stop crying. You can use a vibrant shower gel, a colorful loofah, bath bombs or a fragrant bath soap to revitalize your senses and perk up your mood because they will tingle your sense of smell and touch. Top this up with a nice face wash to give yourself a fresh face.