Among athletes, it seems the more you sweat the better. Sweat not only keeps you cool, a good sweat builds confidence. You feel like you are accomplishing your goals and breaking free of the chains that bind you. You feel powerful. Sweat also makes you feel like you are burning more calories, improving your circulation, and eliminating more toxins.
Unfortunately the machismo of sweat has its pitfalls too. The toll on your body is high. Put simply, sweat depletes you. Not only by dehydrating you, but also by depleting your body of vital nutrients. Even though it looks like water, sweat is more akin to blood. It contains salt, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, as well as important trace minerals like zinc.
That's why sweating is bleeding in Ayurveda. You wouldn't want to bleed your body just to accomplish your fitness goals, would you? Your body has already worked hard to digest, absorb, and infuse precious vitamins and minerals in your blood. Why waste them? Ayurveda suggests you preserve minerals by limiting the amount you sweat. A light sweat is okay. But if you're dripping, you might be overdoing it.
Moderate sweating is beneficial for sluggish Kapha dosha. Dry Vata types have to be more cautious. Pitta types are the most susceptible to heat-stroke and heat exhaustion. Too much sweating can cause pitta to overheat and become dizzy, angry, or have a blood pressure spike.
You can avoid excessive sweating by eating in the shade at a picnic, or bringing a shade umbrella to the beach. Even taking your dog for a short walk in the hot summer sun can leave you feeling exhausted from electrolyte loss. Instead, shift your walking and exercise routines from midday to the morning.
Heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and dehydration are all easily avoidable by keeping cool and replenishing not only water, but electrolytes too as you sweat throughout the day. To your water bottle, add a squeeze of lime, a pinch of mineral salt, and a pinch of sugar in order to make your own sports' drink.
Lack of sweat is also a problem. It means that your body cannot cool itself down when overheated. Take measures to cool down in other ways (getting out of the sun, having cool water, etc.). If you have been in the hot sun, sweating all day and reach a point when you stop sweating, this is a bad sign, indicating dehydration. In both instances, make sure to rehydrate as soon as possible and cool off.
Here are a few rejuvenating, electrolyte rich recipes from Joyful Belly:
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