Sweating It Out: The Surprising Health Benefits Of Perspiration That Will Wow You
When was the last time you found yourself sweating? Most people equate sweating with feeling icky, sticky, and unclean, right? It seems uncomfortable. Sweat patches embarrass us. From spraying our armpits with 100 varieties of deodorants and sprays to purchasing dry-fit clothes, we will do anything to avoid running the risk of sweating. But what I told you – sweating is good for you?
Let’s talk about the health benefits of sweating.
Not sweating at all is dangerous for us. There is a biological reason why the human body sweats. Sweating or perspiration is natural and can be good for us. But sometimes excessive sweating can also be a warning sign.
What kind of sweating can be a cause of concern?
- If your blood pressure drops or goes too high
- You are in the middle of a panic attack
- You are nervous or stressed out
- Fever-related sweating
It is not healthy sweating. So, if you experience this, get your blood pressure checked. It is crucial to seek the right help at the right time.
What is healthy sweating?
When you are out in safe sunlight, and you sweat.
How to recognize this time? Be out in the sun when it is gentle on you and not burning your skin. If it is burning hot, it can be damaging at a cellular level for you. Unsafe sunlight due to UV rays and the ozone being depleted can reprogram your DNA and cell metabolism. It is not healthy for you due to the UV rays and the ozone being depleted. Early morning or evening sunshine which is gentle and warm on our skin is good for you.
Other kinds of sweat that are good for you:
- Sweating while working on a farm
- Sweating while working out
- Sweating while running
- Sweating in a sauna
- Sweating in a steam bath
- Breaking into a sweat when you go walking
When we are too comfortable in life and working out of air-conditioned offices, many of us don’t even break into a sweat and miss out on its several health benefits.
Why is sweating good for you?
Sweating helps regulate body temperature.
It is primarily a mechanism for cooling the body. When your internal temperature rises due to factors like exercise or high ambient temperature, sweat is released through your sweat glands. As it evaporates from your skin, it helps cool you down, preventing overheating and heat-related illnesses.
Sweating is a beautiful way to detoxify or cleanse.
Although there is a lot of mixed research around this, in my conversations with doctors from around the world on my podcast, The Luke Coutinho Show, one of the benefits of sweating that comes up is that it helps release small amounts of toxins, especially heavy metals and some chemicals. Sweating can help eliminate these substances from your body, promoting detoxification.
Your sweat is a natural moisturizer.
Have you seen your skin when you sweat? There is a certain kind of luminosity and shine. When you sweat, your pores open up and water droplets act as a natural moisturizer. Sweating opens up pores and helps flush out dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. This can improve skin clarity and reduce the likelihood of acne and other skin issues. However, it’s essential to wash your skin after sweating to prevent clogged pores.
When you sweat while working out next time, wipe it off your face gently and observe the glow. That’s not just blood flow. Yes, when you work out, there is increased blood circulation and flow of oxygen and nutrients. Your capillaries swell up and you have that glow, a slight pinkness/redness. But your sweat adds to this glow. It acts as a natural moisturizer. You can chase expensive creams and treatments. I am not here to judge that. But nature has an inbuilt mechanism of a natural moisturizer for you. Use it well.
Sweating also helps protect your skin.
It is one of the reasons why when we have patients with eczema, psoriasis, or any bacterial skin issues, we ask them to work out and sweat it out. Sweat holds a glycoprotein that binds with the bacteria on your skin and helps it exit from your body.
Sweating while working out enhances blood flow and alleviates pain
Sweating during exercise means that your blood circulation is at an optimum. The more your blood circulation, the more capillaries you develop in your heart and around different body parts. The more your capillaries, the safer you are. It helps you age gracefully, encourages longevity, improves cardiovascular health, and reduces the risk of heart disease. Sweating may help alleviate muscle and joint pain by reducing inflammation and promoting blood flow to affected areas. Some people find relief from conditions like arthritis through saunas or hot baths, which induce sweating.
Sweating can trigger the release of endorphins.
These are natural mood lifters. Engaging in activities that make you sweat, like exercise or relaxation in a sauna, can reduce stress and anxiety.
Sweating can help your body fight infections.
How? By raising your body temperature. This increased temperature can create an environment less conducive to the growth of bacteria and viruses.
Sweating is natural to us. What is unnatural is us trying to protect ourselves from sweating.
Are you using perfumes, deodorants, and sweat-free chemical sprays under your arms? Beware.
It can be dangerous for you in the long run. It blocks your lymph nodes. What are these? Think of them as small kidney-shaped organs which are a part of your lymphatic system. These filter waste and foreign substances from your body. Lymph nodes are made up of cells that help fight infections to help your immune system. Your lymph nodes are situated in your armpits, neck, and groin.
These are the areas that tend to sweat more. When you sweat, your body is trying to push something out. If you keep using chemicals that obstruct this process, the waste and toxins build up within you.
Try to avoid using chemical sprays, deodorants, and perfumes. Some may say, “But Luke, I need to go to work. I cannot have stained underarms.”
You can also opt for essential oil, real, natural, and chemical-free sprays and deodorants. It is okay to sweat, just wipe it off. When your body is trying to push something out, and you resist by keeping it in, it will only become toxic. Think of it like constipation. Most people think it is okay to live with constipation. But your body has collected waste to eliminate it. What happens when you let it stay and ferment in your body for longer periods? It only builds up over time and attracts issues.
Simple ways to break into a sweat
- Sometimes the weather may be hot. You do not have to be directly under the sun. You can sit on your balcony for a bit or walk in the shade when the weather is hot around you. You will sweat. Try to do this twice or thrice a week. Know more about the benefits of sunshine here.
- Have access to a sauna or a steam? Do it once or twice a week. It is therapeutic for you. But when you use this, ensure you hydrate well. When we sweat too much, we tend to lose a lot of minerals. It can lead to feeling low, tired, or fatigued. You may have noticed this when you take an Epsom salt bath. Because it contains several minerals and magnesium sulfate, we lose water from our bodies. So, drink water and hydrate well when you sweat.
- Run, walk, workout, lift weights, dance – do what it takes to break out into a sweat. I can guarantee that when you follow these simple tips and sweat, you will feel good.
The bottom line
Sweating is natural to us. Sometimes, it is good to break out into a sweat. You can just shower after. I want you to reflect on: When was the last time you worked out and broke out into a sweat?
Do this for a couple of days. You will feel lighter. If you have brain fog or fatigue, do this and notice how it disappears over time. We need to start using the natural detoxification pathways of the human body. It is free. All you need to do is move to action.
Disclaimer: Excessive sweating can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, so don’t forget to get that checked. Always stay hydrated when sweating, especially during intense physical activity or in hot weather, and consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns about your sweating patterns or if it’s causing discomfort or distress. All the best!
If you have any medical conditions or are undergoing treatment, always consult your health practitioner before trying anything new.
Wish to make personalized movement and workouts a part of your wellness journey. Set up a one-on-one consult with our fitness experts. Write to us at consults@lukecoutinho.com, connect with us on WhatsApp, or call 1800 102 0253.
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