Many people worry about waking up with a swollen face I’m one of them. I’ve tried many methods that are said to help with puffiness, but the effects are always short-lived, and my face remains puffy. In such cases, bad lifestyle habits might be the real cause. Let’s take a look at the habits that can lead to facial swelling.
Clenching Your Teeth While Sleeping
Clenching your teeth while sleeping is one of the worst habits for facial swelling. The pressure exerted while clenching can reach 60–80 kg (132–176 lbs), which is extremely strong. This continuous pressure on the jaw can cause tightened facial muscles or a square jaw shape.
If left untreated, this muscle tension can also worsen blood circulation in the face, leading to puffiness. To prevent this, try wearing a mouthguard while sleeping. A custom mouthguard from a dentist can help reduce the pressure on your jaw, and simply wearing it every night can make a difference. Additionally, being mindful of clenching your teeth during the day can help break the habit.
Washing Your Face with Warm Water
Washing your face with warm water increases blood flow to the skin, which can also lead to fluid retention, making swelling worse. People who frequently expose their skin to heat, such as hot weather or steam, often lose skin elasticity and develop more fine lines due to this process.
On the other hand, cold exposure can tighten the skin and constrict blood vessels, reducing the amount of retained fluid in the face. If you want to quickly reduce morning puffiness, try filling a bowl with cold water and ice, then submerging your face for 20–30 seconds before lifting it out.
Not Drinking Enough Water
Ironically, drinking too little water can make your body retain more water, leading to swelling. About 60–70% of the human body is made up of water, and when the body is consistently lacking around 5% of its necessary water content, it enters a state called chronic dehydration.
During sleep, water from cells and blood vessels moves into the surrounding tissues, causing morning puffiness. As the day goes on, the body continues to lose water, worsening dehydration.
If you drink a lot of water after being dehydrated, the body tries to store the water in the skin layers, making you feel even more swollen. However, if you drink water consistently throughout the day, your body will recognize that there is no need to store extra water, and the retained fluids will be released. As a result, facial and body swelling will naturally decrease.
Eating Too Much Salty Food
Salt retains water in the body, so eating a high-sodium diet makes it difficult for your body to flush out excess fluids, even when drinking the same amount of water. If you often wake up with a swollen face, reducing your sodium intake could help.
Instead of salty foods, try eating foods that help reduce puffiness.
The author recommends bananas. Bananas contain 335 mg of potassium per 100 g, which helps remove sodium (salt) from the body.
If your face is always puffy in the morning, it might be time to re-evaluate your daily habits. Clenching your teeth, washing your face with warm water, drinking too little water, and eating too much salty food are some of the main causes of facial swelling. By making small changes to your habits, you can reduce puffiness and achieve a healthier, more refreshed face!