If you wake up drenched in sweat, here are some possible causes – and solutions

You probably know that getting eight hours is important consistent, uninterrupted sleep. Not just drastic improve your moodbut it also gives your energy a boost productivityreset your metabolism and even increase your body’s ability to fight disease and illness. But it’s hard to get a good night’s sleep when you wake up every few hours drenched in sweat.

Night sweats are not just annoying; they can also rob you of the restful sleep you need. Even if you go to bed early enough, you may wake up a few hours later sweating, kicking the covers off, tossing and turning, then forcing yourself to get up, change out of your damp pajamas and into a clean one. set of sheets on the bed.

If you wake up too hot, don’t worry; there are ways to do that stay cool while you sleep. We discuss the top seven causes of annoying night sweats and the best remedies to help you sleep through the night.

For even better sleep, read about our favorite mattresses And pillows of the year.

How to stop sweating while sleeping

Tara Jongbloeda sleep expert and founder of Chili Technology (aptly, a manufacturer of temperature-controlled bed accessories), says ending night sweats for good is about tackling the cause. Here she offers tips for four of the most common causes of night sweats.

1. Take another look at your mattress

“Your body is an engine,” says Youngblood. “It continuously gives off heat while you sleep. [and] There are certain materials that actually increase your body temperature while you sleep.” She points to foam as a common culprit, noting that some foam mattresses can reflect heat back to you, making you sweat more.

2. Also think about your blankets and duvets

“Don’t let your blankets work against you,” says Youngblood. “Your blankets can keep you from cooling down because they block the cool air that your fan or air conditioner brings.”

Youngblood says that when you sleep under blankets, you create a “cave” for your body to sleep in, and it’s important to make sure your cave stays cold with cooling blankets or light materials like linen and cotton.

3. Adjust the temperature in your room

Make sure to lower the temperature in the bedroom before going to sleep. This activates your body to cool down naturally. If your room stays at the same temperature all day, your body gets used to it temperature and will not be lowered in your sleep. If you can’t lower the temperature in your room, take a cool or cold shower before jumping into bed.

Read more: Lower your electricity, gas and water bills this summer: 8 hacks that really work

4. Abstain from alcohol or heavy meals before going to bed

Youngblood says alcohol and hearty foods before bed can also increase your body heat at night. Try to avoid both a few hours before bed to lower your core temperature, which will reduce sweating during sleep. If you need to eat a meal before bed or have a late night snack, read more about it here the best foods for better sleep.

What causes night sweats? Here are 7 possible reasons

The easy answer would be that your AC is not set low enoughbut people who sweat in their sleep, regardless of temperature, know it’s not that simple.

If you feel like you’ve tried everything – from frigid AC temperatures to… fans at full speed”cooling platesand sleeping naked – but nothing has worked, you may want to give it up and accept the daily changing of sheets as your fate.

Not so fast: The first step in solving a health-related condition is understanding the cause. From there, you can work with a healthcare provider or try home remedies to eliminate the symptom.

Night sweats can occur for many reasons. Here are some of the most common.

1. Your bedding

Your sleep configuration could honestly be the problem. Your sheets, mattress protector, pillows, and mattress itself can cause you to sweat at night. Look for cooling or temperature-regulating sheets – at best, you’ll get rid of your night sweats; Worst case scenario, you get a few nice new sheets.

2. Hormonal changes

When your hormone levels fluctuate wildly or go through a period of change, you may experience sweating at night. A well-known example is women going through menopause. One of the unpleasant symptoms of menopause is night sweats, and this is mainly due to the decreasing amount of estrogen in a woman’s body. Pregnancy and menstrual cycles can also affect your body’s core temperature at night. For men, low testosterone could contribute.

3. Medicines

Some prescription medications can cause you to sweat at night. If you have a prescription, ask your doctor if night sweats are a side effect.

4. Medical conditions

Likewise, many medical conditions can cause night sweats. According to Mayo Clinicincluding hyperthyroidism, anxiety disorders, autoimmune diseases, sleep apnea, drug addictions, neurological disorders and more. Viral infections can also cause night sweats due to fever.

5. Alcohol and diet

Drinking alcohol before going to bed is possible causing you to sweat at night because it affects the functioning of your nervous system and your body’s core temperature. Although there is little evidence that food alone can cause night sweats, it is believed that certain foods, especially spicy and high-fat foods, can worsen pre-existing night sweats.

6. Hyperhidrosis

Since we’re talking about sweat, hyperhidrosis — excessive sweating — deserves special mention. If you sweat excessively during the day and at night, it is best to talk to your doctor about this condition and whether you may be suffering from it.

7. Stress

High levels of stress can manifest as physical symptoms, including night sweats. Stress-induced night sweats may be associated with: scary nightmares or stressful dreamsrapid breathing, increased heart rate and difficulty falling asleep due to worry or fear.

Even more sleeping tips