Night sweating, known among professionals as sleep hyperhidrosis, is a condition in which an individual sweats profusely during sleep to the point of dampening bedclothes or sheets. This condition occurs for a variety of reasons. Here are just a few of them.

Hormones - Hormones can cause a whole host of issues, including night sweats. Menopausal or pregnant women often suffer from sweats and may find much relief in relaxation or stress-relieving exercises like yoga.
Temperature - Nighttime sweating can sometimes be the simple product of room temperature. If the room you're sleeping in is too hot, you may experience frequent bouts of sweating during the night. However, this is not usually considered a medical condition.
Medications - Some medications have night sweating as a side effect.
Medical Conditions - Some medical conditions can cause night sweating, such as cancer and infections.

Yoga Poses for Night Sweats

Yoga is known to many as both a workout and a stress reliever. Many individuals boast of yoga's unique therapeutic ability to increase agility, flexibility, balance, and to improve mental wellbeing. Here are several popular yoga poses that can help relax the mind and body before bedtime.

Child's Pose

Begin by sitting on your knees.
Lean forward, extending your arms out in front of you.
Rest your forehead on the floor or yoga mat, placing your hands side-by-side above your head.
To deepen the stretch and open up your shoulders, bring your arms back and rest them alongside your legs.

Downward Dog

First, begin in Plank Position, as if you're going to do a pushup. Arms should be shoulder-width apart, and the back is straight.
Ease your heels back. If you can touch the floor with your heels, that's the best.
Lift your hips into the air as you extend the arms.
Drop your head between the arms, keeping your back straight.

Standing Forward Bend

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, hands on hips.
Take a deep breath and fold your torso forward across the thighs.
Drop your head as you touch your hands to the floor. Depending on your flexibility, you can rest your head on your feet and your palms on the floor, or simply release the head toward the floor.

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Cat Pose

Begin on your hands and knees, like a cat!
Take in a deep breath.
As you breathe in, arch your back, dropping your stomach toward the floor and your hips raising toward the sky. Raise your chin and look up.
Exhale. Suck in your stomach and raise your spine towards the ceiling.
Repeat this exercise several times.

Note: Cat Pose is also a very good stretch for your lower back.

Cobra Pose

Begin on your stomach.
Place your hands on either side of your chest with your elbows pointing back.
Press down, lifting your torso upward. Your legs should be extended behind you with your toes pointed.
Relax your shoulders down into the back and breathe deeply.

Find more information on all of these poses in our Yoga Pose Gallery.

Conclusion

These yoga poses for night sweats should be performed at least two hours before you go to bed. It's important after you've completed these or any relaxation techniques to try to do only low-energy activities. Dim the lights, light candles, or read a book. These activities can help you relax before bedtime and may not only help your body prepare for sleep, but may also make a huge difference in how you sleep and help with preventing night sweats.