Feeling Sticky? 5 Ways to Stop Sweating Profusely This Summer [CNET]

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Sweating is inevitable, but there are ways to make it more comfortable.

Sweating is natural and healthy — it’s the body’s way of cooling itself down to help keep you from overheating. But one bummer about summer is that the heat (and subsequent sweats) can dampen a good outfit, making you feel sticky or otherwise a little less comfortable. 

Here are a few things you can do to stop sweating.

1. Wear the right clothes (or less of them) 

If you’ve ever been in a hot subway or public transportation station in the thick of summer, regretting your outfit decision, you know how a choice of shirt or pants can dictate just how sweaty you’ll be that day. 

Not only will loose-fitting, lightweight clothing help prevent heatstroke or heat exhaustion, it may also help reduce your sweatiness. Some common fabric culprits for overheating include denim and leather, so opt for lighter fabrics like cotton, silk or bamboo. Otherwise, choosing shorts with less fabric on your legs or a tank top that leaves your armpits open, will reduce the burden of sweat and let your skin air out. 

For help finding clothing to keep you cool and less sweaty, read our guide to moisture-wicking, fashionably cool clothes.

2. Feeling stressed? Focus on your breath 

In addition to cooling our body down, sweating may also kick in during times of stress. If you then become stressed because you’re hot and sweating, this can turn into a vicious, uncomfortable cycle. 

One trick you can do anytime, anywhere to help yourself calm down is to take controlled, deep breaths. “Box breathing,” where you breathe in for four counts, hold for four and then exhale for four, is one simple way you can dip your toe into breathwork for reducing stress in the moment.

3. Stick to cool or cold foods and drinks 

If you eat something hot or spicy, your body may respond by sweating. To combat this on a particularly hot day when you’re already sweating, you can choose iced coffee instead of hot or a cold snack instead of something heated up, if you want to mitigate the extra sweat. For help reducing the sweat in your own home, you may skip the oven by heating things up in an air fryer instead or opting for no-bake recipes. 

If you notice you sweat a lot after eating anything, you may have what’s called gustatory sweating or Frey’s syndrome. While you could check with your doctor to rule out another cause for the unexpected sweating or find ways to handle it, this type of sweating isn’t harmful to your physical health, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

4. Take advantage of the daylight (or lack thereof) 

The hottest part of the day tends to be from late morning through late afternoon, 10 a.m. through 3 p.m., though it depends on the region and the day. To get around this hot middle, and the subsequent sweats, you can plan your day accordingly. Try to accomplish errands very early or late in the day to avoid the sweltering heat. 

5. Stay hydrated and aware of heat-safety tips

If you’re sweating more, you need to drink more water to make up for the hydration you’re losing in sweat. (And if you’re sweating heavily, you may benefit from electrolyte replacement.)

You’re right, this isn’t exactly a tip on how to sweat less, but staying adequately hydrated is important for your health on a hot and sweaty day, and that’ll ultimately make you feel more comfortable. Other heat safety tips include being mindful of overheating if you have an underlying health condition, or if you take a medication for one, which may influence how your body handles heat.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.