Sweating is a natural reaction to distressing situations triggered by sympathetic nerves. It’s part of the body’s fight-or-flight response to prepare for danger, whether real or perceived. Many people experience sweating in nerve-wracking situations, but it will pass as the body adjusts.
It’s not unusual for people to experience sweating at times that cause some degree of anxiety. Sweat can start pouring when preparing to give a speech or address an audience in any way, or due to anxiety during a job interview. Sweating is a perfectly natural reaction to any distressing situation. That’s why you sweat when you’re nervous.
There are actually two distinct sets of nerves that send signals that trigger activity in the sweat glands. Sympathetic nerves carry neurotransmitters that stimulate sweat production. The parasympathetic nerves carry various neurotransmitters that signal the glands to cease and desist in sweat production.
Many different situations trigger sympathetic nerve activity. Exercise, hot weather, high humidity, and even foods loaded with extra spice can cause nerves to send signals to the gland to start producing fluids. This is an attempt to return the body to what is perceived as a normal or rested state.
Of particular note is that sympathetic nerves are also activated when an individual becomes nervous for any reason. This is part of the body’s unconscious protective process, known as the fight-or-flight response. You sweat when you’re nervous because your body senses that you may need to start moving fast. Sweat is there to lubricate the areas where skin touches skin and also to cool the entire body shell so you don’t overheat during activity.
In short, you sweat when you’re nervous because your subconscious senses imminent danger of some kind and reacts to prepare your body for the battle that’s about to begin. This process can be activated due to a real or perceived threat. That’s why people suffering from anxiety disorders or panic attacks often break into a sweat as easily as someone who comes face to face with an armed robber.
Sweating in response to nerves is very common. Many people experience a sweating outbreak when they take a stage or give a presentation in a conference room. Other people start sweating in social situations, like asking or going on a first date. People recovering from medical conditions involving overstimulated nerves will also experience more sweating activity as the nervous system heals. Just accept the fact that you sweat when you are nervous and that it will pass when you start to get used to the environment and your subconscious no longer perceives the situation as a threat.
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