Are you presenting at an important board meeting? Remember to never let them see you sweat. A new study featured on TIME, sweat may make you look less trustworthy, competent, and confident.
A team of experts from Monell Chemical Senses Center asked 44 female participants to provide sweat samples after exercise, after a stressful situation, and after the same stressful event but treated with antiperspirant. Another set of 120 volunteers were then asked to smell the samples while watching videos of the women as they went through their daily routine.
According to the results, most of the evaluators felt that those who provided untreated stress sweat were more stressed. Men were also more likely to say that the subjects were less trustworthy, confident, and competent.
Researchers explain that while sweat caused by exercise and heat that is produced by the eccrine glands is clear, odorless, and slightly salty, the sweat caused by stress that is produced by the hairy parts of the body such as the scalp, the groin, and the armpits are tinged with fats. Although the fluid itself is not exactly odorous, the mix of hair and oils invite bacteria in, causing body odor.
Good grooming, however, can go a long way. Avoid looking too nervous and incompetent by scrubbing down clean and putting on deodorant. Most importantly, don't sweat the small stuff.
(Photo by Freddie Peña via Flickr Creative Commons)
There are three kinds of sweat--one that occurs after you exercise, one that is produced in response to heat, and one that is due to stress. TIME reports that the third one is what increases your chance of having body odor, and what gives other people the impression that you're less confident and competent.
A team of experts from Monell Chemical Senses Center asked 44 female participants to provide sweat samples after exercise, after a stressful situation, and after the same stressful event but treated with antiperspirant. Another set of 120 volunteers were then asked to smell the samples while watching videos of the women as they went through their daily routine.
According to the results, most of the evaluators felt that those who provided untreated stress sweat made seemed less confident and trustworthy.
Researchers explain that while sweat caused by exercise and heat that is produced by the eccrine glands is clear, odorless, and slightly salty, the sweat caused by stress that is produced by the hairy parts of the body such as the scalp, the groin, and the armpits are tinged with fats. Although the fluid itself is not exactly odorous, the mix of hair and oils invite bacteria in, causing body odor.
Avoid looking too nervous and incompetent by taking better care of yourself. Scrub down clean, put on deodorant, and most importantly, don't sweat the small stuff. Managing your anxiety is the best way for you to stay confident, and avoid those wet underarms.
