Clammy Hands Aren't So Bad!

While attending a networking function for premed/predental students looking for mentors, I came across a group of sweaty nervous young adults.  They clamored together like a team of athletes designing their next play. One would occasionally look up to see who was brave enough to talk to an official grown up, then the rest would check the time to see how much longer this painful event would last.  It was clear that they weren’t going to approach anyone…too scary and some of them had already sweat through their button-down shirts.

I approached the huddle asking how much longer until the event was over and who they chose as their mentor.  They looked at me with blank stares, big doe eyes, and shiny foreheads. None of them managed to talk to anyone who wasn’t already a classmate.  Reminding them that they had 45 minutes left didn’t help. One of the guys asked how he would possibly seem professional if he couldn’t shake hands.  That baffled me. One by one, each said that they had sweaty hands and were self-conscious over it.

Here is what I told them…

In healthcare, doctor’s hands are often sweaty from wearing latex gloves.  We don’t think about it. It’s a sign of hard work. Instead of wiping the sweat off on our scrubs, we own the sweat.  I usually say, “My hands are sweaty from the focused effort in performing your procedure.” Patients and their families appreciate knowing that there was effort in getting the job done well.

However, sometimes the source of sweaty palms isn’t from working hard…it’s from the scariness of adulting.  So, here is what I do when plagued with clammy hands in a room full of intimidating people.

The List... 

1.  When scared or intimidated, it’s human nature to make a fist.  Don’t do it! It will make your hands even more sweaty and gives the impression of showing defensive body language.

2.  Get a cold drink – preferably water. This way, if you get so nervous that you spill on yourself, you haven’t ruined your clothes.  Also, terrible sidekicks to sweaty palms are dry mouth and shaking. An occasional sip of water helps with dry mouth. When shaking from nerves, take a big sip, then take a big breath, then take another big sip, then another deep breath…if you must do this until the whole glass is empty, it’s worth it.  It creates a sense of calm and it feels healthy.

3.  Wrap the drink with a few napkins. This is my favorite trick.  It keeps me from making a fist because you’re holding a drink. The napkins also absorb the sweat.  Carry it in your right hand, so when you must shake hands, you move the drink to your left hand and the right is cool and fresh for a handshake.

Remember, it’s natural to feel nervous in a new environment.  Own it, enjoy the ride, and don’t let normal bodily functions keep you from being the best version of you.