Night Sweats: 7 Reasons You’re a Hot Sleeper

Getting a good night’s sleep does the world of good for your body. It gives your body time to rest and repair, as well as reducing stress and anxiety. For this to work, adults should aim to get seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.

However, 70% of Americans say that they have a disturbed night of sleep at least once a month. There may be many reasons for this and night sweats can play a major role in disturbing your sleep on a regular basis.

So what causes night sweats and is there anything you can do to stop them? Fortunately, there is!

If you’re a hot sleeper, read on to find out seven reasons why this might be and for our tips on how to stop night sweats.

  1. Drinking Alcohol Before Bed

There’s nothing wrong with having a drink with dinner or a glass of wine in the evening after work. This can be a relaxing way to end your day.

However, alcohol does raise your body temperature. So drinking too close to bedtime can leave you feeling hot at night.

If you like a drink in the evening and have been wondering “why do I get so hot when I sleep?” it might be worth giving your tipple of choice a miss for a week or so. If you notice an improvement in your sleep, you’ve found your solution!

  1. Stress

Stress can have a huge negative impact on your ability to get a good night’s sleep. You might find it difficult to get to sleep or experience disturbing dreams.

If your mind is overactive, this can also raise your body temperature so that you experience night sweats.

To combat this, give yourself time to relax and unwind before going to bed. Try to make your bedroom a screen-free zone and introduce low lighting around bedtime.

If your stress is affecting other areas of your life, make an appointment with your doctor. It may be a symptom of another mental health condition and they will be able to support you with this.

  1. Warm Sleeping Environments

We all like to be cozy at night, especially in the winter. But creating the right sleeping environment will help to keep you cooler at night.

Some ways to do this include:

  • Getting ‘breathable’ bedding, such as cotton sheets
  • Wearing lightweight and loose pajamas
  • Choosing lightweight bedding
  • Using mattresses that allow airflow, such as
  • Keeping your bedroom cool at night

All of this will help to make your sleep environment as cool as possible so that you don’t overheat in bed.

  1. Medication

If you’re taking certain medication, this may also make you more prone to night sweats. This is because certain medication raises your body temperature and stimulates your sweat glands.

Medications that can cause night sweats include:

  • Antidepressants
  • Hypertension drugs
  • Antiretrovials
  • Hormone therapy medication
  • Hypoglycemia drugs

If you are taking any of these and are experiencing night sweats, speak to your doctor about it. They may be able to adjust your dosage or prescribe you with an alternative drug to stop your night sweats.

  1. Menopause

The menopause generally affects women between the ages of 45 and 55. This signals a change in women’s reproductive lives when their periods stop.

However, there are lots of other symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, mood swings, and reduced libido.

Night sweats are another common symptom. While it isn’t possible to stop these completely, there are some things you can do to help manage your night sweats:

  • Avoid triggers for night sweats, such as alcohol, caffeine, smoking, or spicy food
  • Keep your bedroom cool at night
  • Sleep in lightweight pajamas
  • Have a glass of water and damp flannels by your bed to cool you in the night if you need them

Some lifestyle adjustments can also make symptoms of the menopause more manageable. Losing weight and reducing your stress levels will both help to minimize night sweats.

  1. Sweating Disorders

On rare occasions, a sweat disorder known as hyperhidrosis can cause night sweats in men and women. This condition makes your body produce more sweat than it needs without a clear reason.

There are a few things you can do to help control this disorder, including:

  • Wearing loose-fitting clothes and breathable, quick-drying fabrics
  • Avoiding synthetic fabrics and bedding
  • Avoiding wearing heavy shoes or tight socks before bed

It’s important to note that this condition affects a very small portion of the population. So if you’re suffering from night sweats, look elsewhere before assuming you have hyperhidrosis.

  1. Underlying Health Conditions

Sweating and night sweats can also be symptoms of certain underlying health conditions or illnesses. These include:

  • Cancers
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Sleep disorders
  • Serious viral or bacterial infections
  • Obesity
  • Depression
  • Heart disease
  • Hyperthyroidism (having an overactive thyroid)
  • HIV or AIDS

If you have tried to improve your sleeping environment and cut out alcohol but still experience night sweats, it’s worth investigating why. Try to keep a record of how frequently you experience them and make a note of any patterns.

Then make an appointment with your doctor to discuss this. They may be able to help you identify the cause of your night sweats.

Take Control of Your Night Sweats Today!

As you can see, there are lots of reasons why people experience night sweats. Fortunately, this also means that there are lots of things you can do to get them under control and enjoy a restful night’s sleep!

For more great tips and advice on health and wellness, keep scrolling!