Many of us associate working out with a rush of endorphins to energize and rejuvenate our moods. It’s true, of course—
research shows that exercise can help alleviate stress, anxiety or depression, which boosts self-esteem and our overall sense of well-being.
But what about heavier emotions that will occasionally, and often inexplicably, surface during a workout? When tears stream down your cheeks during an intense stretch during your spin class or in the middle of a yoga session?
As unexpected as this can feel in the moment, it’s natural for exercise to unleash complicated emotions. This may sound odd, so let’s get into why this emotional release occurs and what those tearful workouts can reveal about the powerful mind-body connection.
Why Do I Cry After Working Out? Here’s the Science Behind the Emotional Release
As humans, we often condition ourselves to ignore uncomfortable or painful emotions—but this doesn’t necessarily mean those feelings will just resolve on their own. The body senses and stores emotions and then shares this intel with the brain through interoception.
This is a somatic process in which the nervous system uses bodily sensations to determine the state of your inner landscape, whether or not you are conscious of it. That can explain the many physical sensations you might feel when big emotions come rushing in, like:
- Tension creeping into your shoulders
- Nausea roiling around in your stomach
- Tightness building in your chest
- Sweat forming on your palms
- Numbness traveling down to your feet
The thing is: when your emotions aren’t processed, they can become stuck in the body over time. This can lead to unexplained frustration, resentment or
anxiety. But, eventually, repressed emotions will leak out of you in some form. If you’re an avid exerciser, a workout may be just the thing to break that emotional dam.
How your workout routine can promote emotional release
There are many reasons you may notice an emotional release from your workout, whether you’ve been holding emotions back or are stretching in just the right way. Here are some common reasons those feelings come rushing to the surface.
Hormones: With physical exhaustion comes hormonal secretion. As your muscles push to the limits of fatigue, your body activates the endocrine system to
release both endorphins and cortisol. The endorphin high paired with a cortisol release and muscular fatigue can evoke a potent blend of feelings—or even unlock certain emotions that were previously inaccessible.
Soothing the nervous system: Exercises like
yoga, which incorporate self-reflection, can also serve as an outlet to process and heal from emotional suffering. The fusion of mindful presence, full-body movement and conscious breathing helps
soothe the nervous system, creating a safe place to feel whatever emerges. This makes yoga a beneficial supporting tool treatment of
depression, anxiety or
trauma.
Stored emotions: The heightened intensity of exercise
helps to release all that accumulated energy. You may also notice certain poses cause you to feel emotional; specifically, those that involve the hips, like Single and Double Pigeon in yoga. This is believed to happen because emotions get stored in the hips. “Stretching the hip muscles causes a release; pent-up emotions may resurface, suppressed memories may arise, unconscious tension still held onto from a traumatic event may bubble up. All of which may unleash a seemingly inexplicable barrage of tears,” says
Ana Sugarman, author for Ekhart Yoga.
The healing power of emotional release during a workout
These emotional releases can be supportive of your overall mental health—especially if you tend to hold your feelings inside, instead of letting yourself feel them. Here’s why:
In other words, that emotional release is nothing to feel embarrassed or frustrated about. In fact, you can be thankful that your body felt safe and comfortable enough to finally move through those difficult emotions and feelings. This is a good thing!
How to handle an emotional release
Next time a wave of emotion hits during exercise, adjust your pace and breathe through the discomfort. Rather than tamping down an emotional release, follow these simple steps.
- Adjust your pace and breathe through the discomfort. This may feel awkward and difficult, especially in a room of people. Step outside of the class if you need to.
- Remember: you are having a natural human reaction. Other people have experienced this as well.
- Get curious about the emotional release. Instead of immediately trying to stop it, ask yourself what you’re feeling. Sadness? Frustration? Happiness? Disappointment?
- Allow yourself to be present with the feeling or emotion while you complete class, if you’re able.
- Afterward, when you have time alone, ask yourself: “What was that response telling me that I should pay attention to?” Let it guide you toward whatever needs to be looked at or felt.
Feeling emotional when you exercise is natural and beneficial
The body and brain communicate with each other at all times, sharing vital information to
keep you in balance, or homeostasis. Part of this exchange includes the connection between physical movement and emotional release. Let the tears flow along with your sweat—it’s a completely normal workout experience and one that’s supporting your mental health.
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