Sweat

Stressed About Excessive Sweating?
By Matt S J

When the heat is on, most people tend to get a little hot under the collar. This applies not only for the real heat of increased temperature, but also for metaphorical heat - in other words: pressure. However, it is normal to sweat under these conditions. When the body feels anxious, sweating is a perfectly reasonable reaction. But what if your 'reaction' is more excessive than normal? What if, when the heat is on, you sweat excessively - which then only adds to your worries?

Anxiety-induced hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating) is a cruel Catch 22 situation. When you get anxious, you sweat excessively, which makes you even more anxious - so you sweat more. If you are a sufferer of this type of hyperhydrosis, you probably know this vicious circle all too well. Ironically, the fact that you know you should aim to be less anxious is yet another potential source of anxiety. So, how do you break this distressing chain of events? Unlike other forms of hyperhydrosis where the cause is genetic or a biological reaction, for anxiety-induced hyperhydrosis, the solution could lie in the same place as the problem - in your head. Though it undoubtedly has physical results, anxiety is a mental reaction. It occurs because your brain is telling you that you are under stress or pressure. But this fact is good news because the brain is infinitely 'trainable'. You can train it to react differently under certain conditions. This process is not without work but it is possible to control your anxiety and once you do, the symptom of excessive sweating should automatically disappear.

So how do you train your brain not to get anxious? Well, one of the first places to start is in identifying any common triggers. Perhaps you get anxious when talking in public. If you do, take heart that this is extremely common. It is also highly curable. Many successful people will tell you that they also used to be terrified of public speaking - but they overcame that fear, which means you can too. In fact, whatever the trigger for your anxiety, there will be someone who has overcome it and can show you how. Once you've identified what 'sets you off' your job then becomes to find out how to deal with it in such a way that you stay in calm and in control.

If you can't identify any particular occasions that induce your anxiety, you can still take some positive steps to reduce or eliminate it. You do this by working on your confidence or self-esteem. Some lucky people are born with confidence. Many of us, though, have to work at it. But it is a quality than can be learned or acquired. Perhaps all it takes is a new wardrobe, or a trimmer figure, or knowing someone loves you. One great tip is in focusing daily on your successes, however small. There are many routes to a renewed confidence and pursuing these will boost your self-esteem and reduce your anxieties and subsequently, your sweating.

Increasing your confidence will reduce the frequency of anxious episodes but life will always throw up a few 'challenges'. So, it can pay to learn how to cope when unavoidable stressful situations arise. One popular and effective way of doing this in breathing techniques. There are ways of breathing which work on your physiology to reinstate your calm. Yoga is one way of learning how to use the breath to affect the body, but there are many others. (Though yoga does have the added advantage of instilling an inner serenity that naturally reduces anxiety). It is worth learning and practicing these techniques as they have proven to be very effective for reducing stress, anxiety and their related symptoms (i.e. excessive sweating).

Another, less mainstream solution to anxiety-induced sweating is working on your beliefs. If you believe that you are an anxiety-induced excessive-sweater, that will tend to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you can, somehow, convince yourself that you are not, you may well see your symptoms disappear. But how do you possibly convince yourself of that, when faced with all the evidence to the contrary? One way is in affirmations. By repeating positive statements about your ability to cope and stay calm, you will eventually convince your subconscious that it is true. To turbo-charge this process, you could even practice visualising yourself staying calm (and sweat-free) in situations that usually get you flustered. Though most of the proof of this technique is anecdotal - what have you got to lose? Try it and you might, like many others, be amazed and delighted with the results.

Whether you opt for tried-and-tested techniques, or you're so desperate you'll try anything, it can be reassuring to know that there is much you can do to improve your condition. Sometimes, just taking this step - seizing control of your life and your excessive sweating symptoms - can be a massive leap forward in reducing your anxiety. You don't need to be at the mercy of your body and its reaction to anxiety. You can, one way or another, overcome the triggers and learn to handle your life whilst remaining cool, calm and collected. And dry.

Matthew Johnson provides information and advice on safe, natural and permanent cures for excessive sweating. To find out more, go to our website and cure hyperhidrosis for good at http://www.StopSweatingStartLiving.co.uk.

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