I have come to the conclusion that smelling bad can be one of the most frustrating things that a hygienic person can go through.
Let me paint you a picture, you wake up and step out of your freshly made bed, take off your breathable and just washed cotton pyjamas and step into the shower. Scrub scrub scrub, everywhere’s clean. You get out of the shower and, what’s that? You smell? But you just washed. Soap and water has been in contact with your body less than twenty seconds ago, how can you smell? You put on deodorant. Yeah, that’s not doing much. By the beginning of the afternoon people are beginning to give you looks. It’s not the ‘hey I’m checking you out cutie’ looks but ‘hmm, do you know what soap is?’ looks.
The looks that no one wants to get!
Oh mercy, what’s wrong with you? How could something like this happen? Well don’t worry, we’re all in this together. One big smelly pile of compassion and advice. I’ve collected a few reasons for your unexpected stink, so let’s get on with it shall we?
- You just need to calm down: Getting annoyed by the fact I told you to calm down? Getting annoyed by, well, everything right now? That could be the reason for your sudden funkiness. All types of sweat smell different, and stress sweat is the most pungent because it’s produced in the aprocrine glands. These glands produce sweat with a high amount of fats and proteins in it. When bacteria feeds on this it produces a bad odour, and then the shower you had this morning just becomes redundant. Finding a way to reduce stress can be the key to smelling that bit fresher, so try to sit back and put your feet up from time to time.
- You’re being too healthy: Confused? Me too! According to reports though, overeating certain vegetables such as broccoli, garlic and foods high in methyl compounds, such as beetroot and spinach, can cause your body to release trimethylamine. Trimethylamine is excreted through sweat and has a slight fishy odour. Remember that these foods have benefits to your overall health so obviously don’t avoid them altogether, just don’t go overboard when piling up your plate.
- You’re being too unhealthy: This one makes more sense. Do you like a pint with your friends after work? Do you sometimes overdo it? Well stop! Ten percent of alcohol is excreted through sweat, and it promotes excessive sweating. A drink from time to time is totally fine, but the more you drink, the more you sweat.
Junk food is also a big no no if you want to smell fresh. Synthetic ingredients tend to sit in your intestines and rot, as the body cannot digest them easily. The toxins are then released through your pores, causing that bad odour. If you’re feeling queasy right now, you’re not the only one.
- You think deodorant and antiperspirant are the same thing: If you do know the difference then I apologise for sounding patronising, but some people are still a little confused. Deodorant is a handy little mask that helps reduce odour when you sweat. Antiperspirants on the other hand actually help prevent you sweating in the first place. If you’re a heavy sweater then using both might be a good idea, but for those who don’t want to pile their underarms with product, then simply using an antiperspirant will be enough.
- Hormones: This applies mostly to the ladies, but obviously the men out there have hormones as well. Hormones control certain aspects of our bodies, and at times an over saturation of them can cause you to sweat more, and perhaps crave foods that make you sweat more. Hormones affect everyone differently so consulting your doctor is the best solution. The pill can sometimes work for stabilising out of control hormones in women, and if you’re in the throws of menopause then your doctors can prescribe hormone replacement therapy.
If you’re not happy with the medical route then hormones can be balanced by improving your diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and taking your vitamins.
And for the days where nothing seems to be working, well, at least there’s perfume.
Diamantes and Diamonds 