How Can I Stay Cool During Menopause?

Menopause affects approximately 1.3 million women in the United States each year. This condition generally begins between ages 51 and 52, although it can certainly be triggered earlier or later in life, depending on many factors.

Approximately 1% of women experience premature menopause before the age of 40, which is largely due to abnormalities in sex chromosomes. This is all to say that menopause is a very real condition that causes many women to suffer the symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats every day.

What Causes Hot Flashes and Night Sweats?

The short answer is that night sweats and hot flashes are the result of changing hormone levels in the body—specifically, when estrogen and progesterone production decreases. Although there is some debate about what actually causes night sweats and hot flashes, the physical changes occurring in the body cause the blood vessels near the skin’s surface to widen, which is the body’s natural response when it needs to cool down. As the blood vessels widen, the body begins to sweat so it can bring the temperature back down to a normal level. The sweating, in turn, can cause chills, especially with a fan or air conditioning running.

How Can You Stay Cool During Menopause?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as every person is different, and your body may react differently from someone else’s. However, there are some tried-and-true methods that seem to work well for many women. If you’re suffering the overheating effects of menopause, here are some cool-down tactics you should consider:

1. Avoid Consuming Things That Can Make You Hot or Alter Your Circulation

There are certain foods, drinks and other items that are known to increase humans’ body temperatures or alter the way their blood flows through the body. Because menopausal hot flashes may be a symptom of changes in the circulatory system, your best bet is to stay away from anything that can further restrict your blood vessels. This includes smoking and consuming alcohol. While drinking in moderation has been shown to have some positive health effects, it may also be the culprit that’s causing you to become uncomfortably hot as you endure menopause. Smoking, on the other hand, doesn’t have any positive health benefits. Consider quitting smoking as soon as possible and decrease your intake of alcohol to see if that helps keep your body cooler.

Spicy food and caffeine may also have something to do with the way your brain tells your body to behave in terms of temperature regulation. If your food or drink habits are causing your body to over-regulate its temperature, consider altering your diet or eliminating coffee in favor of tea. Even if you only do this on a trial basis, you’ll likely be able to tell if your experiment is working rather quickly.

2. Sleep in Menopause Cool Sheets

Night sweats are incredibly uncomfortable, and they can disturb the person who’s unlucky enough to experience them as much as the partner with whom they share a bed. Cool sheets for menopause can help regulate your body temperature better than other fabrics because they’re designed to prevent you from overheating since the material is breathable and light. It also wicks moisture; whereas, other materials simply absorb it. The difference is waking up cool and dry, versus with cotton or other materials that can leave you laying in a pool of your own sweat.

PeachSkinSheets’ menopause cool sheets are perfect for people who sleep with partners because they won’t change body chemistry – they’ll keep anyone who does overheat cooler, while also keeping cool sleepers cozy. This means both people can sleep happily and comfortably without the worry of waking up in excess sweat, soaking wet sheets, or an uncomfortably toasty environment.

3. Dress Lightly

Avoid clothes that can make you ultra-hot. If you’re not sure if you’ll get too hot or not, dress in layers so you can easily remove the top options without leaving yourself inadequately clothed when you start to cool off. At night, go with a light T-shirt, or, even better, moisture-wicking workout clothes that’ll help your body regulate its temperature while you’re sleeping beneath your menopause cool sheets.

4. Keep a Fan Beside the Bed

A small fan that’s pointed directly at you can help keep you cool without bothering your partner.

5. Run Cool Water Over Your Wrists

There are a lot of blood vessels in your wrists, which means you can help regulate your own body temperature if you cool down these blood vessels. Run cool water over your wrists if you’re in a pinch. If you’ve got gel sleep masks in the freezer, you can wrap these around your wrists to help cool your blood down.

6. Keep a Healthy Weight

Obesity can make hot flashes and night sweats worse because your heart has to work harder to distribute the blood throughout the body. By watching what you eat, working out, and maintaining a healthy weight, you’ll help your heart, which can ultimately enhance your overall experience while you’re dealing with menopause.

7. Reduce Your Stress

Take time to take care of yourself, so you’re not stressed out and overwhelmed when you lie down at night. Meditation and yoga can be extremely helpful in getting your mind and body back to a healthy place, so your heart and brain can work in unison to prepare you for a good night’s sleep and a great day ahead.

At PeachSkinSheets, we’re proud to produce cooling sheets for hot flashes. Our team works hard to design and create sheets that will keep you cool and comfortable all night long. If you’re ready to wake up dry and well-rested, you’re ready to try PeachSkinSheets! Order your first set online today!