While crying may be your natural response to an emotionally stressful situation, it often can leave you with a swollen face -- primarily around the eyes. The University of Alabama at Birmingham notes that, contrary to popular belief, facial swelling isn't a result of crying. Your face swells as a result of "fight or flight" syndrome. The stimuli that causes your emotional response also activates your sympathetic nervous system, which releases adrenaline and causes your lacrimal glands to secrete additional fluid. This leads to facial swelling. You can treat swelling around the eyes at home.
Step 1
Apply cool compresses to the area around your eyes immediately after crying to reduce the swelling. A bag of ice wrapped in a washcloth or a washcloth dipped periodically in icy water and applied directly to your eyes are both effective methods of minimizing the swelling.
Step 2
Drink plenty of water. If you eat a diet high in sodium, the excess sodium can contribute to the puffiness around your eyes. Drinking water helps flush the excess sodium out of your body and prevents extensive swelling from occurring.
Step 3
Lie down with your head elevated. Doing so helps prevent excess fluid from pooling up underneath and around your eyes.
Step 4
Sleep well after crying. Although your emotional state may make it challenging to fall asleep, a good night's rest is imperative to helping your eyes and face recover from the strain of crying. The National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
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