You deserve to be cool, dry, and well-rested when you wake up.
We all deserve a good night's sleep, which is why it's so aggravating when excessive perspiration prevents us from receiving the rest we require. You know how awful it can be to wake up soaked in perspiration after a night of tossing and turning. It's one thing to wake up sweating, regardless of what you're wearing to bed, in flannel pajamas in the midst of summer (poor decision), but it's another to wake up sweaty every day, regardless of what you're wearing to bed.
It may indicate that you should consult a doctor, but there are certain environmental and behavioral modifications you may do to improve your chances of having a better night's sleep.
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Why do we sweat so much at night?
"Our bodies sweat to remove waste items and to help us cool down when we're hot," explains Christina Graham, a nurse and Noom coach. "Sweat is made up of 99 percent water, 1% salt, and 1% fat. Even when we aren't heated or exerting, we sweat continually. When we become hot, we sweat more, losing anything from a quart to a several liters each day, depending on our activity level and heat exposure."
But why do some people sweat more at night than others?
"Our sleep-wake cycle is controlled by the circadian rhythm. As we get closer to nighttime, our body temperature drops, signaling the production of the sleep hormone melatonin," Graham explains. "As we sleep, our core temperature dips, then gently increases as we wake up in the morning. A greater core temperature might cause trouble falling asleep, restless sleep, and a delay in slow-wave and REM sleep, the most restorative stages of sleep."
While sweating is a vital and required physiological function, it can disrupt sleep and cause poor sleep quality, not to mention the pain and inconvenience of waking up with moist pajamas or sheets.
Here are some of the reasons you could be sweating at night and how to cool down so you can get a good night's sleep.
It's possible that your apparel is to blame.
Are you dressed in polyester, flannel, or satin pajamas? They are capable of retaining body heat. If you're wearing socks to bed, you should remove them as well, as they retain heat. Graham recommends cotton or another breathable fabric, such as silk, or a pair of moisture-wicking pajamas. Alternatively, you might sleep naked.
Take into account your sleeping surroundings
This one may seem self-evident, but it's critical to keep your sleeping environment cold, which includes the temperature of your room, your bedding, and who you may be sleeping with.
"Since the optimal ambient temperature for sleep is 60-67 degrees," Graham explains, "lowering your thermostat and having a cold bedroom might reduce your risks of night sweats." "A warm environment, soft bedding, or sleeping close to a lover or pets can all raise core body temperature and cause perspiration as the body tries to calm down before going to sleep.
Surprisingly, getting into heated blankets can assist lower core temperature by warming and shunting blood to the skin, according to Graham. "However, spending too much time under a heated comforter might make us overheat and cause painful night sweats."
Sheets made of cotton and bedding with minimal insulation should be purchased to remain cool. If you and your spouse share a bed, you might want to get a comforter with varied levels of insulation that works for both of you. If sharing your bed with a pet is becoming too hot, try purchasing a pet bed for them to use on the floor—or just closing the door.
You might need to reschedule your supper.
That late-night spaghetti meal was great, but it may have given you night sweats.
"Digestion expends energy, so eating a substantial meal within two hours of night raises core body temperature," Graham explains. "Our food takes two to three hours to digest, so allow plenty of time after your previous meal to digest to avoid an elevated core temperature from eating."
Eat your final meal at least three hours before bedtime, if possible.
- You could be exercising at an inopportune time.
You could like a late-night run, but it's likely to result in more sweat than you anticipated.
"Exercising raises core body temperature, which contributes to nightly sweating," Graham explains. "Because it takes a few hours for the body temperature to drop after activity, it's preferable to exercise in the morning, midday, or afternoon."
- It might be a hormonal issue.
"Hormonal variations, particularly the reduction in estrogen for women in perimenopause or menopause, can produce night sweats," Graham explains. "Estrogen and progesterone can affect the body's temperature regulation, thus this might happen before or around ovulation."
Consult your doctor to be sure this is the case, and consider changing your night routine to include a cooler ambient temperature and cooling pajamas.
- You might be suffering from a drug adverse effect (or have an infection)
"Night sweats can be caused by a variety of drugs and health concerns," Graham explains. "If your night sweats occur frequently and persist after making adjustments to your surroundings, check with your healthcare physician." "Antidepressants, hormone treatment, and diabetic meds, which can cause hypoglycemia, are some of the more prevalent prescriptions."
If you have other symptoms, such as a temperature or night sweats, it might be an indication of an infection, such as the flu or COVID-19.
"See a doctor if you have frequent night sweats, or if you have fevers, weight loss, exhaustion, cough, or gastrointestinal issues," Graham advises. "If you've had night sweats that don't seem to go away after making lifestyle or environmental adjustments, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor so they can look into it and rule out any significant causes."