Why We Need To Sweat
We all enjoy the hot summer months and being fit and healthy; however, no one likes to sweat. It’s uncomfortable and embarrassing, but surprisingly, our bodies need us to sweat.
The environment we call home is alien to our body. Toxins are in the air, food, cosmetics, even in our water. If those toxins build up inside us, our bodies become overwhelmed and start shutting down. Sweating allows our skin to get rid of toxins that make us sick and look healthier in the long run.
How and Why We Sweat
Sweat is made up of water mixed with small amounts of chemicals such as ammonia, salts, sugar, etc. The composition differs from person to person based on hormonal balance, physiological changes, and the bacteria and viruses present in our bodies. In fact, it is bacteria on our skin and secreted hormones that causes sweat to smell.
We sweat to adjust our body’s temperature, to reset our hydration process, and to rid ourselves of nasty toxins that build up and cause serious illness. Sweat is our body’s natural regulator.
After sweating, it is necessary to rehydrate and shower. Leaving sweat on your skin can cause irritation and encourage fungal infections.
Health Benefits of Sweating
During exercise, our focus is on the benefits of physical exertion and not usually why we should be sweating. In reality, there are far more advantages to sweating than to exercise:
Heavy metal detoxing - People who actively sweat have lower levels of these toxic metals.
Natural exfoliation- Sweat includes a natural prebiotic that contributes to healthy skin bacteria.
Natural Moisturizer- Treats dry skin while getting rid of bacteria, oils, and impurities.
Eliminates chemicals- People who sweat often have lower levels of BPA, a serious endocrine disrupter found in plastics.
Bacterial cleansing- The glycoproteins in sweat bind to nasty bacteria and pull them out of your body.
Lowers stress hormones- Sweating boosts all the happy hormones that we need to stay stress-free.
How to Increase Sweating
In our modern world, sweat is considered a necessary inconvenience. As most of us don’t sweat enough, here are few basic ideas to try:
Stop using antiperspirants- This may seem obvious, but our everyday deodorant brands can be such a habit that it’s easy to forget they inhibit healthy sweating. The heavy metals in antiperspirants are also toxic and block up your pores. Try a natural deodorant.
More exercise- This is a simple, obvious way to sweat and it benefits other parts of your body as well. Schedule in a half-hour every day for an activity that makes you sweat.
Try a sauna- Though quite a different form of sweat activity than exercise, saunas cause more noticeable and immediate benefits.
Too Much Sweat?
If you experience more sweat than seems normal when it is hot or you are working out, don’t worry. There are natural variations to how much each person sweats. If, however, you notice that you sweat heavily for no reason, you may have a condition known as hyperhidrosis ((hi-pur-hi-DROE-sis)).
There are two forms of this condition:
Primary Focal Hyperhidrosis -- this is not an illness. People with this form are otherwise healthy and only experience extra sweating in certain places on their bodies.
Secondary General Hyperhidrosis -- this form exhibits extreme sweating all over the body and is caused by an underlying condition. These can range from low blood sugar and infections to thyroid disorders and diabetes.
Excess sweating can be frustrating and embarrassing. Talk with your dermatologist about your options.
Sweating can be an odd way to focus on your health, but your body will thank you. Give your skin the ability to do what it is meant to do: keep you healthy by flushing toxins, chemicals, and bacteria out of your body. Embrace your sweat and you will be amazed by how much better you feel and how healthy your skin will look.