We’ve all been there. It’s hot outside, you’re trying to sleep, and the only thing that will make it better is if you turn on a fan.
If you’re struggling with sleeping in hot weather, fans can make your life much easier! Just keep in mind though: if it’s really warm outside or you’re not used to sleeping with a fan running, start out slowly.
And is it safe to sleep with a fan on every night?
Turning on a bedside fan at night is a common way to stay cool while sleeping. Some sleepers also find the sound created by a fan to be soothing, or they enjoy the comforting feel of the airflow. While sleeping with a fan on is generally considered safe, it may present some disadvantages for those with allergies or sensitivity to ambient noise.
We examine some of the side effects and benefits of sleeping with a fan turned on. For those who prefer not to use a fan, we discuss alternative options for keeping cool at night.
Sleeping with a fan on is fairly harmless for most people, but some may find it uncomfortable. This is especially true for people with sensitive airways and those who prefer a totally quiet sleep environment. Other considerations when deciding whether to sleep with a fan include the cost of running it at night.
Sleeping with a fan poses some health risks. Although most of these health problems are minor and often more irritating than anything else, they are significant enough to reconsider using a fan while sleeping.
A dirty fan may be making things worse if you are allergic to pollen or dust. A fan blowing throughout the night stirs up the air and circulates pollen and dust around your bedroom. Inhaling these allergens may make your symptoms worse.
Studies show seasonal allergies contribute to sleep disorders, snoring, and lower-quality sleep. Over time, household allergens and dust mites can build up on the ceiling fan blades without you knowing.
Air from your fan can irritate your sinuses and dry out your nose, mouth, and throat. In response to this, your body may start to overproduce mucus, which can cause congestion (stuffy nose), sore throat, and headaches. If you’re already under the weather, it can worsen your symptoms.
Ever wake up with sore muscles or a stiff neck? Circulating air throughout the night may cause your muscles to tense. This is harmful if the fan is pointed close to your face and neck. If using a fan, point the fan away from you at night, so the air doesn’t blow directly on you.
Did you know that the air movement around you at night may wake you up, increasing sleep disturbances? So what you use to improve your sleep may be disturbing it.
Fans offer little benefits of keeping you cool at night, while potentially causing or increasing health issues.
According to AWM:
The Sleep Advisor website recommends that you not aim a fan too close to your face and to use an air purifier to counteract all of the allergens that get stirred up when a fan is blowing. If you use a ceiling fan, it’s a good practice to wipe down the blades periodically with a damp cloth to eliminate dust. Similarly, you can usually take apart a conventional fan to clean the fan blades off.
The outlet noted that many people debated these issues on social media with some diehard fan users weighing in with their experiences.
One person stated: “I had a fan blowing on me almost every night for the past 20 years, and only time I have a real hard sleeping is without a fan.”
Another person shared: “I am not giving my fan up! It’s good for me. It helps me sleep 365 days out of a year. Without it I am wide awake and I hate hearing the sounds of night. I love the sound of the fan blowing.”
One commenter offered these suggestions: “Well, as long as you keep your room and the fan clean, and the rotation setting so its not directly on you, it shouldn’t be too bad. Use moisturizer, keep water by your bed.”
Watch the video below for more details:
Sources: AWM, SleepAdvisor