5 Habits to That Could Be Causing Your Nights Sweats

All you really want after a busy day is a good night’s sleep, but night sweats may be keeping you from getting the rest that you need. Surprisingly, there are several after-work habits that you could be engaging in that trigger these episodes and even make them worse. If you spend the day thinking about that glass of wine you’re going to have tonight or what’s going to happen on the season finale of your favorite television show, read ahead to find out how you could be triggering your night sweats—and how to stop.

Don’t eat spicy foods for dinner.

Spicy foods trigger night sweats because they raise your body temperature. Other problematic foods include stimulants such as white sugar and caffeine.

Do eat foods like fresh fruits and vegetables and room-temperature dishes that won’t make you hot.

Don’t have alcohol or cigarettes.

If you’ve been rewarding yourself with a glass of wine, a beer or a cigarette after work, you may also be ruining your good night’s sleep. These substances can activate night sweats.

Do develop a calming bedtime routine. Instead of smoking or drinking, use that time to journal or read a book.

Don’t take a hot shower before bed.

Although you may think of it as a great way to relax, a hot shower raises your body temperature when you should be cooling off.

Do take a cool shower.

Don’t watch TV.

Television before bed provides too much stimuli for the brain to calm down and prepare for rest.

Do ease your mind into a state of relaxation with yoga or reflection exercises.

Don’t wear cotton or silk pajamas.

Cotton is great for soaking up perspiration but doesn’t dry quickly, leaving you in a hot, sweaty mess all night. Silk pajamas tend to conduct heat around the body rather than away from it, which can exacerbate the problem.

Do look for special, moisture-wicking pajamas that dry easily.

More information about night sweats:

Research shows that 75% of women experience night sweats during menopause. Symptoms of nights sweats include increased body temperature, nausea, chills and headaches. Click the following link to learn more about night sweats and how to prevent them.