anxiety sweating problem

Hello @dangerousmind

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hopeful_hannah 🤗

Hey @dangerousmind

Dealing with anxiety-induced sweating can feel like a frustrating cycle: you worry about sweating, which causes more anxiety, which leads to more sweating. It's a very common psychological response, and you're definitely not alone in navigating it, as I have experienced it myself.

Sometimes, managing the "evidence" can help lower your anxiety levels in the moment.

• Clinical Strength Antiperspirants: These work best, especially when applying them the night before bed, so they can plug your sweat ducts while you sleep.
• Breathable Fabrics: Stick to natural fabrics like cotton, linen, or moisture-wicking athletic gear. Avoid polyester or silk, as they tend to trap heat in and show moisture quickly.
• Undershirts: There are specialised undershirts designed with absorbent underarm pads specifically for this issue.
• Keep a Refresh Kit: Carrying around a travel-sized deodorant, wet wipes, or a small hand towel in your bag can provide a huge psychological safety net.

Since the sweat is a "fight or flight" response, calming the nervous system is key.

• Cooling Hack: Splash cold water on your wrists or the back of your neck to trick your nervous system into lowering your core temperature and slowing your heart rate.
• Box Breathing: when you feel the heat rising, try breathing in for 4 seconds, holding for 4, exhaling for 4 and then holding for 4 again. This helps regulate the autonomic nervous system.
• Acceptance: It sounds counterintuitive, but telling yourself, "Okay, I'm sweating, and that's fine," often reduces the panic that fuels the sweat. The more you fight it, the hotter your body gets.

If it is significantly impacting your quality of life, I would recommend speaking to a GP and/or a Dermatologist to get their support.

Thnx @MatchaToad, this is very helpful.

I am keen to try the cooling hack, I hadn't heard of that before.

Hi 👋🏼 @dangerousmind I come from a family of sweaters. Anxiety and sports-fitness induced sweating. And some of use just run hotter than others.

Sauna helps me a lot to regulate my nervous system and cope with WA summer-autumn heat.

Each family member deals with their own sweatiness in their own way.

Just wanted you to know, that you’re not alone.

@dangerousmind I feel for you. I'm also a big sweater and it's a cycle. The more I sweat the more anxious I get so I sweat more. If I feel myself having anxiety or panic symptoms it's made so much worse when I start thinking everyone around me can notice something is wrong with me, therefore the symptoms (including sweating) get worse and worse until I have to get out of there. I just make sure I use anti perspirant and carry tissues to wipe my face.

Welcome to the forums @dangerousmind ,

I look forward to hearing how it goes with some of these strategies.

Have you spoken to your doctor about it? If it is an ongoing concern, hopefully doctors may be able to guide you too.

I agree with @MatchaToad , that one of the most powerful things is to take control of the breath. There are so many different exercises you can do. Breathing Gym daily can be so helpful.

How are you @dangerousmind ?

Been happening to me recently mainly when trying to sleep use frozen ice pack as a pillow (back of neck) works wonders.