Have you ever experienced excessive sweating when you interact with people? You’re attending a meeting, giving a presentation, or going on a first date and you break out in sweat even if it’s not hot outside.
You are anxious, you sweat, you worry about the obvious sweat marks, you sweat even more. It’s like a repeated cycle of sweating and stressing. Do you want to get rid of this uncomfortable situation? Then you have arrived at the ideal place.
In this article, we’ll give you the best and effective tips on how to stop nervous sweating social sweating. You’ll get more interesting facts as to why we sweat when we’re anxious. Let’s begin.
Does social anxiety cause sweating?
Yes! Breaking out excessive sweat, also known as “hyperhidrosis” is a common symptom of social anxiety. It comes from nervousness and as a result of the stress response.
You may feel your hands are all wet and sweaty. It happens when you interact with someone or are in public. It usually comes without warning.
People usually wonder why they feel sweaty or sweat excessively when they meet someone or when delivering a presentation. Before they know it, they’re drenched in sweat in public.
They feel embarrassed and disgusted as they think people will judge them. They avoid shaking hands because their hands are all sweaty and cold. They usually keep looking for tips on “how to stop nervous sweating social anxiety?”
Before we discuss how to deal with anxiety and sweating, let’s first discuss why anxiety makes us sweat.
Why does anxiety cause sweating?
You might be wondering why do we sweat when we are stressed? Here’s how it works: when we are nervous or stressed, our body reacts with a stress response (fight-or-flight response).
Our sympathetic system in the brain is activated and it releases stress hormones including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones make our breathing and heart rate faster and stimulate our sweat glands in the body to excessive sweating.
Our sweat glands located in the armpits and crotch react instantly and make us feel drenched.
Sweating is a normal physiological phenomenon as it maintains our body temperature. It can turn from desirable to deplorable during anxiety as it becomes embarrassing when we sweat a lot.
It’s like this; when you sweat>>> you stress about sweat >>> your stress causes more sweat >>> you get more stressed.
How to stop nervous sweating social anxiety?
There are several techniques and strategies on how to stop nervous sweating social anxiety. To battle excessive anxiety sweating, here are some tactics which can help you.
Relax and Let go
Thinking and stressing about any situation only makes you more stressed and sweaty. You need to relax your mind, take deep breaths and stop worrying. Practice breathing and relaxation exercises to calm your mind and body.
Wear absorbent and breathable clothes
Natural fabrics such as cotton or bamboo are the best breathable options for sweet clothing. High-quality cotton works the best in repelling heat and is absorbent.
Try stronger antiperspirants
You can try stronger antiperspirants which can help to stop armpits sweating and avoid embarrassing sweat marks on your shirt.
The best time to apply antiperspirant is at nighttime because it gives time for the active ingredient aluminum to work.
Wear a sweat shield inside
Wearing a sweat-proof undershirt is the easiest way to avoid showing nervousness through your shirt. Arm yourself with one. It will not only absorb all the sweat and also make you forget that you’re sweating.
Stay hydrated
Lacking body water can also make your body sweat. As stress can make you dehydrated, make sure you drink enough water and stay hydrated.
Try meditation and yoga
Meditation and yoga relax your mind and relieve stress. It can help in easing the anxiety and calm the nerves.
Carry a Handkerchief or Baby Wipes
Carrying a handkerchief or wipes can help in wiping off the sweat before it leaves a permanent mark.
Avoid sweat triggers
Your diet can also increase your stress. If you’re consuming hot and spicy foods, smoking, or drinking too much alcohol, it can make you sweat a lot. Avoiding these sweat triggers can help in decreasing the risk of excessive stress sweating.
Botox injections
Botox injections (Botulinum toxin) are used as a treatment for excessive sweating. It can decrease hyperhidrosis by blocking the nerves which stimulate the sweat glands.
It blocks the release of acetylcholine which is a chemical causing the sympathetic neurotransmission in the sweat glands to sweat.
The effect of Botox injections is temporary as it lasts up to 6 to 9 months.
Anxiety Medications
You may need to visit your health care provider and he might prescribe you anti-anxiety medications to stop nervous sweating. Anxiety sweating medications include beta-blockers and benzodiazepines to help reduce hyperhidrosis.
The above tips can help stop anxiety sweating before and during stressful situations.
Does propranolol reduce sweating?
Propranolol, a drug that belongs to the beta-blockers group of medications, affects sweating. It is usually used to treat heart diseases, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, and migraines but can also be used to treat anxiety.
Propranolol has been proven successful in treating patients with excessive anxiety sweating. It might not work for everyone but your doctor might prescribe beta-blockers for anxiety.
It works by acting on the central nervous system and relieving the symptoms of stress. It blocks the effect of stress hormones thus reducing sweating and shaking.
Can anxiety cause night sweats?
Yes! Sweating from anxiety can occur during the day and also at night due to stress response during an anxiety attack.
When your body senses danger, your body activates the emergency defense system. Among other symptoms, anxiety can make you sweat during sleeping hours.
Many people wake up at night, drenched in sweat and have a terrified look as if they woke up from a bad dream. This night sweating and anxiety phenomenon is your body’s defense mechanism.
Cold hands and feet anxiety
During anxiety, not only causes excessive sweating but can also make the hands and feet cold and clammy. Feeling cold extremities such as fingers and toes is one of the complaints of people suffering from anxiety.
Why does this happen? Well, cold hands and feet occur there is epinephrine surge causing extra nervous sweating and pulling away from the blood to the major organs. The blood vessels in our hands and feet become narrowed leading to reduced blood flow to fingers and toes.
Natural remedies for anxiety sweating
Here natural home remedies can also help in reducing sweating which can make you uncomfortable. These are all essential natural products available at your home at almost all times.
Natural Vinegar
Natural vinegar is a great option to treat excessive sweats.
How to use- Two teaspoons of natural vinegar and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar thrice daily before a meal.
Herbal Tea
Herbal tea such as Sage tea works amazingly to slow down those sweat glands. You can use green tea as an alternative if you do not have sage tea herbs.
How to use- Brew herbal tea leaves and drink daily.
Potato
Give a rest to French fries and use potatoes to cut the sweat out.
How to use- Cut the potato in slices and rub them under arms and wherever you sweat a lot.
Tomato Juice
Tomato is an amazing home remedy to get rid of those sweaty armpits. It’s also refreshing and detoxifying.
How to use- One whole glass of homemade fresh tomato juice daily.
Cornstarch and Baking soda
Cornstarch and baking soda make an incredible recipe to stop sweating. Put
How to use- Half a cup of baking soda, half a cup of cornstarch, a few drops of essential oil. Apply to your armpits and let the magic work for half an hour. Wash away and enjoy sweat-free armpits.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil works to fight the sweat causing bacteria as it is an astringent
How to use- Take a small amount of tea tree oil, soak a cotton ball and dab it on your armpits. Use it daily, once or twice.
Lemon
The acidic properties of lemon make it a perfect choice to naturally stop excessive sweating from anxiety.
How to use- Cut the lemon in half and rub it on your underarms. You can also apply lemon juice with a cotton ball. Leave it for 10-20 minutes and then rinse it.
Takeaway
Anxiety is a part of your job and can lead to excessive sweating. Don’t let nervous sweating get the best of you before your big moment or pitch. Thinking about it just will make it worse for you.
This article, “How to stop nervous sweating social anxiety?”, aims to help you educate you about anxiety sweating and what can be done to calm your sweat glands.
Just imagine how much better life can be without any worry about anxiety sweating. One of the remedies mentioned in the article might be your savior!
