Maybe we should stop complaining about the heat
Is it just me, or has this summer been hotter than ever before? I find myself needing a shower after retrieving the mail, and I basically try to avoid being outside at all. (The timing of my surgery and exercise restrictions was absolutely perfect.) Maybe it’s climate change (hello, hurricane in New England), maybe it’s my hormones, maybe it’s the tamoxifen… Who knows.
I read an interesting article on RealSimple.com this morning that extolls the pros of perspiration, and I figured I’d share the main takeaways (beyond playing a vital role in regulating body temperature) before you start to schvitz next.
There are two types of sweat: The salty kind released from 2-5 million sweat glands within the skin from head to toe, and the stinky kind that comes out of your ‘pits after puberty.
We all know exercise (and sweating) gives the skin a radiance boost—but not just from the glistening associated with the sweat itself. These teeny tiny droplets actually hydrate the skin and contain naturally-occurring urea that’s a known humectant (a compound that attracts moisture to the skin).
When body temperature rises, your heart rate increases and the body releases joy-inducing endorphins. I will say I feel this joy most when I get back inside, because nothing about having sweat drip down your legs feels good.
Another interesting tidbit: When others smell your non-stinky sweat, they exhibit happier facial expressions. (When they smell your foul “stress sweat” they exhibit more visible signs of horror.)
Those who harness the sweat-inducing power of saunas regularly are less likely to experience cardiac disease and high blood pressure.
Physically-fit people start to sweat sooner and more heavily (as compared to sedentary people) because the body knows you’re about to exert yourself and starts the cool-down process ASAP.
This is all well and good and I can definitely say I learned something today—but I’m definitely looking forward to cooler temperatures (and wearing boots).
