How to Stop Being a Crybaby

Introduction
When someone calls you a "crybaby," they're usually saying that you're not in control of your emotions, or you become upset without a good reason. This isn't a nice thing to say to someone, but don't worry: you can learn to manage your emotions more effectively. When you're overwhelmed, it can be easy to break down and want to cry. However, you can learn some techniques to diffuse your emotion, both in the short and long term. If you are extra emotional all the time, you might also want to look for a deeper cause.

Questions For You to Answer

 * Has anyone ever called you a crybaby in the past?
 * Do you know how to control your emotions easily?
 * Has anyone taught you some techniques to control your emotions? If so, what are they?
 * What might be the reason behind your emotional sensitivity?
 * Has anyone taught you some techniques to control your emotions? If so, what are they?
 * What might be the reason behind your emotional sensitivity?
 * What might be the reason behind your emotional sensitivity?

Part 1: Dealing With Emotions in the Short Term
Use positive thinking. It can really hurt when people are unkind to you. This can cause tears to show up. Remember to examine what people have said to you in a way that's kind to yourself.
 * 1) Take a moment to breathe. Instead of focusing on what's bothering you, take some time to focus on only your breathing. Close your eyes, and count to four as you breathe in. Count to four again as you breathe out. Place all your concentration on your breathing rather than your problem.
 * 2) *Put your hand on your belly. You should feel your stomach expand as you breathe in. This is called diaphragmatic breathing, and it helps you calm down.
 * 3) Talk with someone. Whether it's a friend or family member, taking a minute to talk about what's bothering you can help defuse the situation. It can also help you figure out what's actually bothering you.
 * 4) *Talk to someone you trust. It can be difficult to say you're having a hard time if you're worried the person will judge you or make fun of you. Find a trusted friend, family member, teacher, or counselor to share your thoughts with.
 * 5) Step away. Sometimes, all it takes to make your tears disappear is to step away from the problem. If you can, try going outside for a few minutes to truly get away. Plus, being outside can help lower your tension.
 * 6) *Tell the people you're with what you're doing, if you'd like. You can say something such as "I need to take a break right now. I'll be back in five minutes."
 * 7) Take a mental break. If you can't physically step away, try mentally refocusing. Think about something that made you very happy. You can think of a person and the happy memories you had with her. Alternatively, try thinking about your favorite vacation. Focus fully on that thought for several minutes, trying to draw up as many details of the memory as you can.
 * 8) Identify what emotion is triggering your tears. Take a moment to think about what you're actually feeling. Are you angry? Are you sad? Are you actually feeling joy? Many emotions can trigger tears, and by beginning to identify them, you can head off the tears more easily as you are better able to notice when the emotion is beginning.
 * 9) *Notice what's going on in your body. For example, anger may make you frown, feel red or hot, or make your muscles feel tense. Sadness can make you feel "down" or "slow."
 * 10) Don't berate yourself. You have a right to have emotions. Tears are a sign of those emotions. If you find yourself tearing up, don't start beating yourself up; you'll only make yourself more upset, and it won't help the situation.
 * 11) *Instead, try being accepting of yourself. For example, if you feel angry, tell yourself, "I feel angry right now. That's a natural emotion. It's okay to feel that way, but I can control my response to that feeling. I don't have to cry."
 * 1) *For example, if someone has made fun of your new outfit, it would be natural to feel angry or hurt. Try reminding yourself that others' opinions of you don't matter; what matters is how you feel about yourself. You could say, "I feel hurt that my friend made fun of my outfit, but I like it. I don't have to feel bad that someone else doesn't like it."
 * 2) *Tell yourself nice things in the mirror every morning. This will help build up your self-confidence, which can help you keep those tears in check. You're strong and smart, and you can do this!

Questions
Do you have any questions for me after reading this page? If so, then write them down here, and I'll answer them for you.