Phenomenon night sweat: How to reduce sweating at night
Night sweat is a very common phenomenon, especially during the summer months. At high temperatures, which also persist at night, you quickly start sweating even when you sleep. However, night sweat can also occur regardless of the weather. We take a look at the causes of night sweating and give you a few tips on how to cool down.
- Night sweat - a widespread phenomenon
- Causes for night sweating
- How are night sweat and health related?
- Tips to reduce night sweat
Night sweat - a widespread phenomenon
Night sweating is a widespread phenomenon related to the processes of the body during sleep. In fact, perspiration is a means for the body to regulate temperature, form a protective layer for the skin and transport toxins out of the body. Night sweat therefore performs useful functions and is not bad by nature! In many cases, night sweats occur only lightly, so you don't even notice it and don't wake up in a sweat. Only when you start to sweat a lot, it can disturb your sleep and indicate health problems.
Causes for night sweating
Light sweating during sleep is, as already explained, a natural process of the body. Heavy night sweats, however, can have various causes. One of the most common triggers for night sweats are summer temperatures. If the nights are not very cool in summer and the room temperature in the bedroom stays on a high level, you can quickly break out in a sweat. After all, sleeping in the heat is a challenge for the body. If you wear too warm pyjamas or lie in non-breathable bed linen, your body reacts by sweating and tries to cool down. Surely you are also familiar with the phenomenon of waking up after a nightmare, bathed in sweat. Bad dreams and stress can promote sweating during sleep, but these are usually exceptions. Your diet also has a great influence on the nightly processes of your body. Eating spicy, fatty food before going to bed gets your digestion going and can cause night sweats.
How are night sweat and health related?
Sleep and health are closely connected, because physical and mental well-being also contribute to good sleep. Sleep disorders, on the other hand, are often caused by illness or stress. Night sweat and health are also often related. Sweating during sleep is often triggered by infectious diseases such as the flu or glandular fever. In the case of fever, night sweat helps the body to lower the high temperature and sweat out toxins. Night sweating is therefore part of the recovery process. Heavy night sweating can also be triggered by autoimmune or metabolic diseases. Neurological and mental illnesses are also frequently accompanied by increased sweating during sleep. In this case, however, other symptoms are usually present as well. To be on the safe side, you should consult a doctor if you suffer from heavy night sweating over a long period of time.
Tips to reduce night sweat
How do you reduce annoying night sweat? Depending on the cause, there are a few tips on how you can cool down and stay cool at night. It is best to use bed linen made of breathable fabrics, such as linen, cotton or silk, so that the perspiration of the skin can take place unhindered. When buying a mattress, also pay attention to the breathability of the mattress. The versa 24 Gomtex® Gel, for example, convinces with its excellent ventilation and thus contributes to a pleasant sleeping climate. 
If you feel very warm when you go to bed, you can moisten a washcloth or a small towel with cold water to cool your arms and legs. You should also avoid strongly spiced or greasy dishes in the evening to prevent night sweats. Light recipes are well suited to have a delicious meal without challenging the digestion. In summer, it is important to keep the bedroom as cool as possible. Keep the windows closed during the day and darken them to keep out the heat. Even in winter you should keep a close eye on the temperature in the bedroom to reduce night sweats. The optimal sleeping temperature is 15°C to 18°C, so don't heat the bedroom too much and remember to air it out during the winter months as well. Daily airing has a positive effect on the sleeping climate and can counteract night sweat.