Men and women can both suffer from night sweats, but they are more common in women, especially during menopause. People who suffer from night sweats usually wake up in the middle of the night and perspire excessively despite a constant room temperature.
Night sweats can be caused by a variety of factors, but menopause is one of the main causes of night sweats. Research shows that women going through menopause who suffer from anxiety and other mental health conditions are more likely to suffer from night sweats.
Anxiety and Night Sweats during Menopause
The cause behind night sweats that happen as a result of menopause is not fully understood. However, research shows that the level of the hormone estrogen declines during menopause. Estrogen plays a role regulating body temperature, so when the body has less estrogen, it becomes "confused." This causes the body to initiate sweating because it thinks it is overheating and wants to cool itself down.
Confronting Anxiety and Night Sweats
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle while being busy at home, work, and in social life is not an easy task. However, positive mental health is vital to overall well-being, and everyone should allocate the time necessary to achieve this. Take steps such as the following can help reduce anxiety and night sweats:
Eat well. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet is an important part of maintaining good mental health. Fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and foods rich in lean protein all make up a healthy diet.
Take deep breaths. Take a moment to breathe deeply, filling your lungs and exhaling gently. Repeat as many times as necessary in order to relax.
Acknowledge your anxiety. Understanding your anxiety and the fact that it can trigger night sweats can help you begin to find an effective solution.
Exercise regularly. A healthy person needs at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Finding an exercise or workout you enjoy doing can also help you to conquer anxiety and release tension.
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See a therapist. Seeing a therapist or psychologist can help a person to work through an anxiety condition.
Find a way to de-stress. Reading, taking a bath, going for a walk, or listening to music are all ways in which you can relax at the end of the day. In order to reduce night sweats, it is a good idea to try to go to bed with as little tension and anxiety as possible.
Treatments for Night Sweats and Anxiety
Anxiety can trigger night sweats. In addition to night sweats, anxiety can also cause your mind to remain active and alert, making sleep more difficult. Taking care of the body and mind go hand-in-hand to promote wellness and a healthy state of being. Exercise and lifestyle-changing activities are necessary to keep the mind and body fit.
Seeing a therapist or psychologist can help you to treat anxiety or any underlying condition or factor causing anxiety and night sweats. If you suffer from an anxiety disorder, a psychiatrist can help you to reduce it and find ways to cope with it.
If night sweats during menopause are lowering your quality of life, it is a good idea to talk to your primary care physician. Your doctor will be able to address your individual symptoms and situation and help you find effective treatment. Click on the following link to learn more about natural treatments for night sweats.
Sources
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014). Night Sweats. Retrieved November 10, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/night-sweats/basics/definition/sym-20050768
- National Health Service UK. (2014). Night Sweats. Retrieved November 10, 2015, from http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/night-sweats/Pages/Introduction.aspx