Entrepreneurs, financial advisors, architects, and other high-performing professionals are trained to hold it together.

You’re supposed to be “on” all the time, managing a million things, pushing through the overwhelm, and staying composed under pressure.

But here’s the truth: suppressing your emotions—especially the urge to cry—doesn’t make you stronger.

It makes you stuck.

So, let’s reframe crying. Not as weakness. Not as indulgence.

But as a tool for clarity, recovery, and actual nervous system regulation.

If you want sustainable success, your nervous system needs space to breathe.

And tears are one of the body’s most brilliant ways of clearing that emotional congestion.

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So… What’s Actually Happening When You Cry?

Whether it’s a few tears or a full-on sob session, crying serves multiple psychological and biological purposes:

  • Releases stress hormones like cortisol, helping your body come down from an activated state.

  • Boosts feel-good endorphins and oxytocin, naturally calming you and even improving sleep.

  • Increases clarity by reducing mental fog—emotional release often leads to better decision-making.

  • Signals to others that you’re in need of empathy and connection, which can strengthen relationships.

For many professionals, a good cry becomes the very thing that reopens access to energy, insight, and creativity.

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Why You Might Not Be Crying—Even When You Want To

It’s common for high-achievers to say, “I feel like I should be crying, but I just can’t.” If that’s you, know that there’s nothing wrong with your emotional wiring—but there is something to explore.

Here are a few reasons you may struggle with letting tears out:

  • Social conditioning: You may have learned early on that crying is “unprofessional,” “dramatic,” or “weak.”

  • Past trauma or emotional injury: If you were punished or dismissed for expressing feelings in the past, your brain may suppress tears as a defense mechanism.

  • Chronic burnout: Ongoing overwhelm can create emotional numbness—your nervous system may be stuck in “freeze” mode.

This isn’t about “trying harder.” It’s about healing the inner belief that emotion = danger.

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The Real Importance of Crying

From the moment we’re born, crying is the body’s built-in distress signal. But as adults—especially those leading businesses or careers—it becomes a therapeutic release valve.

Letting yourself cry:

  • Recalibrates your nervous system and restores emotional balance

  • Brings hidden feelings to the surface, offering clarity and meaning

  • Deepens connection—whether with yourself or others—by breaking down performative walls

  • Encourages reflection, creating space for deeper self-awareness and growth

It’s not about drama. It’s about detox.

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If You’re Not Crying, What Else Can Help You Release Emotion?

Crying is one route, not the only one.

If tears don’t come easily, or don’t feel safe yet, try:

  • Journaling—write what you won’t say out loud

  • Movement—even five minutes of shaking, stretching, or stomping can shift stuck energy

  • Creative expression—draw, dance, or build something that mirrors what you feel

  • Somatic practices—like deep breathing, grounding through your feet, or lying on the floor to reconnect with your body

All of these engage your nervous system in ways that can unlock suppressed feelings and create safety for eventual emotional release—including crying.

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3 Surprisingly Effective Ways to Let Yourself Cry (Even If You’re Emotionally Constipated)

If crying doesn’t come easily to you, here are some creative, non-obvious approaches that work especially well for high-performing minds:

Take a “shower meeting” with yourself.

Set a timer, blast warm water, and mentally invite your tears to show up. There’s something about warm water and a closed door that makes the body feel safer to release.

Watch a scene that cracks you open.

Rewatch that one movie or show that always gets you (yes, even that dog commercial). Let it be the permission slip your body needs to release what’s been building up.

Give your emotions a character.

Imagine your stress or sadness as a person, creature, or voice. Ask it: “What do you want me to know?” Talking to your feelings often brings the tears up organically—and helps you make sense of them faster.

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When to Get Support

It might be time to work with a therapist if:

  • You want to cry but can’t

  • You feel like emotions are shut off or out of reach

  • Suppressing feelings is taking a toll on your sleep, creativity, or relationships

  • You’re carrying emotional burdens that feel too heavy to hold alone

You don’t need a breakdown to justify support. And you don’t need to figure it out solo.

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Crying is not a glitch in your programming—it’s a feature. A powerful one.

Whether you’re leading a firm, running a business, or navigating burnout in a high-pressure career, your nervous system needs real release.

Let the tears do their job.

I’m one of the best therapists if you’re seeking mental wellness as an entrepreneur and high-achiever.

I provide online therapy in Washington, Wisconsin, Colorado, Oregon, Arizona, and Florida.

I also offer specialized EMDR therapy for the deep-seated shit that may be contributing to your struggles.

Let’s talk (and cry)!

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