10 Ways to Drastically Reduce Excessive Sweating
Sweating and bad body odor are probably two
of the most common problems people suffer from during the summer.
Sweating is a protective action our body performs to keep our core
temperature lower than the hot environment, but it can have some
undesirable side effects. To help you avoid sweat stains, bad body odor,
sweaty hands and similar problems, here is a list of 10 things you can
do to reduce your sweating.
Avoid spicy, sugary and
chemically-processed foods:
Spicy foods may be tasty and healthy but they make your body sweat more
frequently. The same goes for artificially sweetened food that contains
high amounts of fructose syrup. These type of products, and other
manufactured pre-made, packaged and frozen foods, are high on chemical
toxins that will aggravate sweating.
Boost your deodorant and antiperspirant:
Applying talcum powder or baking soda to your underarms will help soak
up moisture and prevent odor. They both have a very mild and pleasant
smell that will not collide with anything else you are using. You can
also put some powder in your shoes or gloves if you are doing any work
that requires them.
Shave hairy areas:
Accumulation of sweat tends to occur around the hairs, in places like
your underarms, groin and bearded neck. As a result, bacteria will soon
start feeding on them, which will result in an unpleasant odor coming
from the toxins discharged by the bacteria. The hairy areas are also
less exposed to fresh air and so the sweat and moisture take much longer
to dry. This means the body cools slower, and sweats more trying to
cool itself. Shaving those areas is one of the most effective natural
methods to overcoming excessive sweating.
Wear natural fibers and not nylons or polyesters:
Cotton, silk, hemp and wool are fabrics that enable the skin to
“breathe”. They provide ample space around the armpit area which allow
for evaporation of moisture and free flow of air. In contrast, synthetic
fabrics are made with much tighter weaves that trap heat and make your
body sweat more. Another plus of the natural fibers is that they absorb
moisture well, which prevents bacteria from feeding on your sweat and
causing a stink. While it may result in sweat stains if you are in a
very hot environment, the next two tips will help you deal with that.
Choose loose fitting clothes:
If your clothes are too tight then they are depriving your skin from
enough air to circulate around it, and absorb all the moisture meant to
cool your body. This increases sweating and triggers the sweat glands in
your body to produce more since they think the skin is dry. If you know
you are going to be hot and sweaty it’s a good idea to open up an extra
button on your collar, and wear simple, light clothes.
Wear undershirts:
If you are still suffering from heavy sweating and your shirt is
sticking to your armpits and chest, you might want to put on another
layer of clothes. It might sound counterintuitive, but wearing more
cloths can keep you cooler and less sweaty. You can take any plain wool
or cotten shirt, cut the collar to make it less tight, and wear it under
your normal outfit.
Use the power of fruits:
Eating healthy improves all aspects of your life and sweating is no
different. You can even use the power and benefits of such fruits as
lemons to directly reduce sweating. Cut a lemon in half and gently rub
it under your arms until the skin is coated in a thin layer of juice.
Let it dry and the citrus will work as a natural deodorant with its
acidic juice that can help stop sweat from being produced.
Relax and stay calm:
Sweat is sometimes more related to your state of mind then the
temperature of your body. Being in a state of stress and anxiety will
instantly trigger your sweat glands. Try your best to stay calm and not
to drink or eat anything with caffeine or similar materials, they will
convince your nervous system you are stressed and this will of course
cause more sweating.
Clean your skin and relax your body with alternative options:
Acupuncture treatments have been known to provide relief for some people
with problems of excessive sweating. Other treatments with essential
oils can also clean your skin, relax your body and leave a pleasant
smell to hide body odor. The most common kinds are rose, lavender and
orange oil. Even a simple massage can help free your body from toxins,
and help you lose all that unwanted stress.
See a doctor:
Excessive sweating or sweating at unusual times might indicate a deeper,
bigger problem. Sweating can be a symptom of various health problems
including heart disease, leukemia, menopause, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,
tuberculosis and several stress and anxiety related disorders. It's also
important to note that certain medications like beta blockers can also
cause excessive sweating as side effects and there might be a
replacement for them.