0

This common issue has a number of underlying causes. We break them down for you.

| By Bed Threads | Wellness

Why Do I Sweat So Much When I Sleep?

This common issue has a number of underlying causes. We break them down for you.

Waking up from a night of sleep should never be a stressful occurrence. But when you wake up sweaty in the morning it’s understandable that you might feel a little overwhelmed. Night sweats can make you feel uncomfortable, interrupt your sleeping pattern (or those of your partner) and in rare instances could be a sign of a health problem. Why are you sweating so much when you sleep? And what could be causing it?

The first thing to remember is that sweating is a natural function that is part of the way that our body regulates its temperature. Sweating at night is a part of that; if your body is too hot while sleeping, it will produce sweat to help cool down. But there are a number of different reasons as to why you might be sweating excessively or frequently overnight.

According to Dr Moira Junge, health psychologist and CEO of the Sleep Health Foundation, the most obvious and common cause for night sweats is menopause. “It isn’t unusual to have night sweats if and when a woman experiences a hot flush overnight,” she explains. For the vast majority of women going through menopause, hot flushes become a part of life and having them in the evening is very common. According to a 2018 study in Nature and Science of Sleep journal, up to 64% of women going through menopause reported that they had experienced sleeping problems and insomnia.

How to deal with night sweats

1. Breathable sheets and pyjamas

For more infrequent and less serious incidents of night sweats, Junge has a few tips for how to deal with them. “It’s important not to overheat yourself,” she says, pointing to the cotton and linen sheets and pyjamas as a way of reducing your body heat at night. (“Avoiding synthetics,” is Junge’s big tip.) Here at Bed Threads, we have long been a fan of the quick-drying and temperature regulating qualities of linen and have plenty of options for both sheets and sleepwear to keep you cool all night long. 

2. Let air circulate

The way you sleep can also help to reduce the amount of sweat your body might produce overnight. Junge advises “making sure some parts of the skin are uncovered”, allowing for your cool night air to circulate over your body and prevent you from overheating, as well as “increasing the surface area of the skin that is exposed”, perhaps by opting for short sleeve or sleeveless sleepwear, will all help your body reduce heat. 

3. Manage stress hormones

In terms of lifestyle changes, Junge notes the significance of staying on top of your stress hormones long before you get into bed at night. “It’s very important to try to manage workload and stress during the day,” she points out, “therefore reducing the likelihood of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline being released overnight.” Junge suggests exercising in the evenings or taking part in a relaxing activity, such as meditation or yoga, before going to bed, to help manage stress in the hours before sleep. 

4. Reduce caffeine intake

Reducing your caffeine and alcohol intake before sleep could also help ensure that you aren’t waking up sweaty the following morning. All of these small changes could help make a world of difference if you are a sweaty sleeper. The most important thing to remember is that sweat is a normal part of life and is usually a result of specific causes that can be easily managed, through finding ways to regulate your body temperature and making some key lifestyle changes. Stay cool, everybody.

Welcome to Bed Threads

It looks like you’re in the United States. Enjoy…

  • Free shipping US-wide
  • Easy returns
  • Plus, subscribe for $15 off your first order

Your Order (0)

Your cart is currently empty.
Not sure where to start?
Giftnote Gifting has never been easier Perfect if you’re short on time or are unable to deliver your gift yourself. Simply enter your message and select how it is to be delivered:
Send Now
Send Later
On Delivery
Your message will be automatically delivered to your recipient as per the schedule you have chosen! By sending this gift, you agree to Giftnote's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and agree to receive notifications with gift updates.
Giftnote Add your gift message

Enter who the gift is for

Enter who the gift is from

Enter a gift message

Select at least one option

Invalid email address

Invalid phone number

Select a delivery method

Your gift message will be sent as soon as you complete your purchase
Your gift message will be sent at the date and time of your choosing

Select a date in the future

Select a time in the future

Your gift message will be sent when your order is marked as delivered by your courier. Note: Only available for physical products
By sending this gift, you agree to Giftnote's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and agree to receive notifications with gift updates.
Giftnote Gift message summary
Who is this gift for?
Loading...
Who is it from?
Loading...
Your message
Loading...
Delivery Schedule
Send Now
Your gift message will be sent as soon as you complete your purchase
Send Later
Your gift message will be sent at the following date and time

Time
Loading...
Date
Loading...
Timezone
Loading...
On Delivery
Your gift message will be sent when your order is marked as delivered by your courier

Remember to enter your recipients shipping address during checkout!
Delivery Method
Email & SMS SMS Only Email Only
Recipient's Phone Number
Loading...
Recipient's Email Address
Loading...
By sending this gift, you agree to Giftnote's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and agree to receive notifications with gift updates.