Is Sleeping With A Fan Bad For Health?
Written by Nectarsleep editorial team
Last Updated on Mar 06, 2023
People prefer sleeping with a fan on at night to maintain the room temperature and body comfort. Even researchers recommend sleeping in a cool, dark environment for better sleep. But, it may not be an absolute truth. So, is sleeping with a fan on bad for health? Yes, it has some major impacts on your skin and health. Do you experience a runny nose, itchy eyes, and a cough in the morning? It is because you sleep with a fan.
In this article, we'll discuss the side effects of sleeping with a fan and how to reduce them with simple adjustments
Is It OK to Sleep with the Fan On
It varies from person to person. A great way for some people to stay cool at night is to sleep with a fan on. The fan's "hum" sound works as a soothing white noise for them. Others see it as an invitation to unpleasant health issues. These symptoms can disrupt your peaceful sleep or cause trouble after you wake up.
Downsides of Sleeping With a Fan On
The side effects of sleeping with a fan include:
Worsen Your Allergies or Asthma
If you turn on the fan before bedtime, allergens such as dust, dust mites, pollen, and other airborne particles will disperse throughout the room. Those with asthma or prone to allergic reactions will likely see their symptoms worsening. Waking up in the morning with a sore throat, a running nose, and itchy eyes would be the result. Research has also shown that seasonal allergies can cause major sleep disorders like sleep apnea, snoring, and poor-quality sleep.
Possibly Spread Germs, Such as Viruses
Fans may increase the risk of spreading harmful germs or airborne diseases, such as coronavirus (COVID-19). Encourage the flow of clean outdoor air to stop the spread of these viruses and harmful germs.
Causes Congestion
It's a fact that sleeping with a fan on helps you keep a constant, comfortable body temperature. But this can make your nose, mouth, and throat dry. So, to overcome the dryness, your body will produce more mucus, resulting in nasal congestion (stuffy nose), nosebleeds, sinus headaches, coughing, and other health issues.
Dries Eyes and Skin
The cool, breezy air dries out your skin and eyes, making sleeping with a fan bad for health. Those who suffer from skin and eye problems like eczema, psoriasis, or dry eyes would be more vulnerable to these side effects.
May Aggravate Muscle Aches
Taking in the cool air from the fan can tense up your muscles and even cause muscle cramps. You will feel sore muscles and body aches after waking up in the morning. Keeping the room temperature between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit and the fan at a safe distance will avoid this muscle pain and contraction.
Noisy Fan Blades
The fan's noise varies by company and type of fan you buy. But some people find the fan's noise really soothing. Others feel that the sound of a fan is a cracky and heavy distraction from peaceful sleep and rest.
5 Ways on How to Reduce the Negative Effects of Sleeping with the Fan On
We now know that sleeping with a fan on is bad for health. But how to sleep with a fan without getting sick? Here are 5 ways to reduce side effects of sleeping with a fan:
Consider Buying a Rotating Fan
The rotating fan (similar to its name) performs best because it stops the air from constantly flowing in one direction. Along with rotating the blades, it rotates the head from side to side and evenly distributes the air. Placing it at a distance from your body will avoid sore muscles, and a dry nose, eyes, and mouth.
Set a Timer
Sleeping with a fan on is bad for health because that cool, breezy air goes on throughout the night, making you uncomfortable. But if you set a timer for an hour or a couple of hours, it won't make the breeze flow the whole night. You'll simultaneously reduce energy costs and the negative effects of dryness and continual airflow.
Keep the Fan at a Safe Distance
Having a mini plug-in or rotating fan is beneficial for a peaceful night's sleep because you can place it wherever you want. And placing your mini fan at a distance will reduce major health problems such as muscle contraction, dryness of the eyes, nose, and mouth. Ensure your room is clean to avoid exposing yourself to dust mites, allergens, and other harmful particles.
Utilize Air Filters
No matter how well-kept your room is, dust can find its way. Therefore, using air filters to remove dust, dust particles, and allergens will promote pure airflow while sleeping with a fan on.
Use a Water Bowl in Front of the Fan
Your nose, mouth, and eyes won't feel as dry if a water bowl is placed before your little plug-in fan. The water in the bowl will add moisture to the air, making it humid and stopping dry air from blowing. You can even add ice cubes in the summer to have cool, fresh air without using more energy.
Benefits of Sleeping With a Fan On
The major benefits of sleeping with a fan on are as follows:
Cuts Your Electricity Bill
Though a fan isn't as cool and effective as an air conditioner, it maintains a moderate body and room temperature for sleep. The positive trait of using a fan over an air conditioner is that it cuts your electricity bill.
Maintains Comfort
Sleeping without a fan feels impossible in the summer, and hot sleepers even experience much sweating at night. This will promote sleeplessness and drowsiness, resulting in less productivity in the morning. Sleeping with a fan at night helps maintain a cool body temperature for comfortable sleep.
Promotes Air Circulation
People prefer to keep their windows closed at night to avoid dust, harmful germs, and allergens from entering the room. This breaks the constant flow of air circulation, making sleeping uncomfortable. Sleeping with a fan will promote continuous air circulation, resulting in no suffocation.
SIDS prevention
SIDS is the third-highest cause of infant mortality in the United States, responsible for the deaths of around 2,500 babies each year. Extremely high temperatures and an increased flow of carbon dioxide contribute to the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). According to studies, sleeping with a fan helps maintain moderate room temperatures and reduces the amount of carbon dioxide inside the room.
Other Ways to Stay Cool at Night
Other ways to stay cool at night are as follows:
- By keeping the room dark and cool, curtains help create an atmosphere conducive to sleep. Preferably light-colored curtains because they reflect heat, whereas dark-colored curtains absorb and trap them.
- Using a cool mattress, like memory foam or latex foam with cooling technologies, will promote constant airflow. Inner-spring beds and hybrid beds also help with continual airflow and make you feel cool and comfortable at night.
- Taking a warm shower before bed promotes a cool body temperature. Sounds confusing, right? At the time of a shower, your body heats up, and after you leave, it naturally starts to cool down.
Conclusion
Sleeping with a fan isn't bad for your health, but the airflow throughout the night makes it harmful. Then, how to sleep with a fan without getting sick or having other health issues? Use a rotating fan, keep the fan at a distance, and add air filters and a water bowl to avoid a dry nose, snoring, coughing, and allergies to the skin.
