When you cry, fluid comes out of the tear glands called lacrimal glands to protect the eyes from the elements and irritants. Tears can also flow due to emotional or physical stress. Knowing how to bring tears to your eyes can be helpful if you're an actor or just want to have the ability to bring tears to your eyes whenever you feel like it. If you want your tears to flow, whatever the reason, you don't have to actually cry. You just need to know certain tips.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Objects That Stimulate Tears
Step 1. Cut the onions
Onions absorb sulfur from the soil as they grow. When you cut it, the onion cells open and the sulfur-contained enzymes come out. This combination creates a gas that causes a burning sensation in your eyes and makes you cry without actually crying.
- Chop some onions and place them near you. People's sensitivity is different. You may need less or you may need to be near the onions longer.
- Cooked onions do not produce this kind of effect.
- Even onions that have been refrigerated or chopped in water will not produce this kind of effect.
- Sweet onions, such as Vidalia onions, often don't produce a strong weeping effect than white or yellow onions.
Step 2. Apply toothpaste under the eyes
You should be careful when doing this. Eyes will feel sore if exposed to toothpaste. However, if you apply a small amount of toothpaste to the bottom of your eyelids, your eyes will try to remove the toothpaste by releasing tears.
- You may have to wait a while before your eyes start to respond.
- Most toothpastes can be used to do this because almost all of them contain sodium lauryl sulfate which is an eye irritant.
- A 100% natural toothpaste or toothpaste without sodium lauryl sulfate may not be as effective.
Step 3. Stimulate tears with peppermint oil
Products that contain peppermint can cause a stinging sensation in your eyes and make your eyes water. Take a small amount and apply it under the eyes.
- You'll have to experiment with how much peppermint oil you should use. People's sensitivity is different.
- Don't let the oil get in your eyes as this will make your eyes hot, red, and uncomfortable.
Step 4. Use menthol cream and wax
Menthol, or compounds containing menthol, is widely available in pharmacies and is generally inexpensive. Apply a small amount of menthol cream under the eyes so that your tears come out.
You can also use tear sticks or tear sticks. The stick shape is similar to a lip balm that contains menthol and camphor to make you cry. Apply a little under the eyes and you will feel the effect
Step 5. Use eucalyptus to stimulate tears
Compounds in eucalyptus can refresh the body, open the sinuses, refresh the lungs, and even cleanse the eyes. A common trick that some actors use when early scenes call for tears is to gently blow eucalyptus vapor into the eyes. This trick might work for you too!
Step 6. Use eye drops or saline solution
This technique won't keep you in tears for long, but it's very effective. If you can make the dripping motion invisible to the audience, when you turn around, the rest of the solution will make you look like you're crying.
- A saline solution is a solution that has almost the same content as tears, so this solution is safe and practical to use.
- Salt solutions and eye drops can be purchased at pharmacies.
Method 2 of 3: Using Physical Methods
Step 1. Gently rub the area under the eyes
Do not exaggerate. Your eyes are made up of sensitive parts. The area can be damaged especially if you do this trick for a long period of time.
- This trick has another effect. Your eyes may feel sore and look red.
- Do it with clean hands so that germs do not get into the eyes.
Step 2. Make the eyes dry by leaving them open for some time
If they feel dry, your eyes will try to expel water and protect themselves. If you keep your eyes open for a long time, they will dry out and start to water. You can also turn this technique into a staring game with friends.
Step 3. Join the upper and lower eyelids by pulling the eyelashes
The pain of pulling your lashes will bring tears to your eyes. You shouldn't be pulling your lashes out on purpose, but don't worry if they fall out. Eyelashes can grow back.
Step 4. Try yawning
When yawning, muscle pressure in the eyes and face will close the tear ducts. Once you're done yawning and your muscles are relaxed, the tears will overflow a little. If you can make yourself yawn, you should have tears in your eyes.
Step 5. Look towards the light
You shouldn't stare at bright light for long periods of time as it can damage your eyesight, but some actors use light to stimulate tears. The famous actor, Henry Fonda, often stares at the bright light when he has to cry on stage.
Method 3 of 3: Using Psychological Techniques
Step 1. Imagine sad things
If you're going to cry, you really have to make an effort to strengthen your imagination. Usually, there is at least one thing that makes you very sad, such as cases of animal cruelty or poor children. Use those things to make you cry! Some other ideas, namely:
- War
- Starving
- Disease
- Death
Step 2. Use muscle memory to stimulate tears
Remember when you cried and then try the position again. As closely as possible, imitate the movements, inhalations, and sounds you make at that time. While it may seem awkward at first, with enough practice, your muscle memory can be trained to activate your tear glands and keep your tears flowing.
Step 3. Pretend to be a tearful character
You don't have to be an actor to take advantage of the tricks they use. By pretending to be a certain, imaginary or real character that you see on TV, you can bring tears to your eyes.
Try to choose a character who is in a situation you can understand. This kind of character will be easier for you to imitate and your tears will flow more easily
Step 4. Find the sad phrase
Certain phrases may really irritate you. Professional actors and acting teachers call it a “power phrase” because of its ability to control your emotions. Repeat these phrases until your eyes feel wet. Examples include:
- "I'm bad."
- "No one loves me."
- "I can't do anything."
- "Why did everyone leave me?"
Step 5. Think sad music
Music can provoke strong positive or negative emotions. Find a song that makes you very sad and play it in your brain. You too can think sad thoughts while the music is playing in your head.
- To help you cry, bring headphones and a music player so you can listen to sad songs before you have to start crying.
- When you need to cry, remove your headphones and keep playing the song in your head until you cry.
Warning
- Sand and dust should be avoided as they can damage the eyes. A tool that is rough, sharp, or acts as a scotch should not be used.
- Do not do this too often because it can cause infection.
- Do not irritate the eyes directly as this may damage the sensitive parts.
