If you don’t have air conditioning, or you’re trying to save some money on electricity, then when it gets warm at night you might decide to crank up the fan. It makes sense because everyone would want their sleeping environment to be comfortable enough to be conducive for sleeping through the night. No one wants to wake up soaked in sweat and unable to go back to sleep.
But did you know what happens to the body when you go to sleep with the fan on? You’ve likely never stopped to consider it. But the truth is that it could be causing you more trouble than you know, especially if you’ve been using this fan the wrong way.
Here are some of the potential downsides you could be causing!
1. It will dry out your mouth and nasal passages.
Studies reveal that leaving the fan on can help evaporate sweat and moisture from your body, leading to dehydration and the drying of the mouth and nasal passages. If you live in a dry area, this needs special attention, since these consequences can appear even faster. In general, however, a cup of water is more than enough to restore the water you need.
2. Asthma And Allergies
Those who already experience allergic reactions or asthma might find them exacerbated by having the fan on.
This is because fans move the air, leading to all sorts of allergens being circulated through the air.
This is even more troubling if you have the window open – you’re opening yourself up to all sorts of pollen, dust, mold, and allergic materials.
If you tend to wake up short of breath or sneezing, this might be why.
3. It’s one of the causes of muscle cramps.
The temperature at night tends to decrease fast and, while exposure to cold is one of the causes of muscle cramps, fans can expose you to more concentrated and constant cool air, blowing directly at you. On the other hand, if you’re experiencing hot nights, the air blowing from the fan can increase your core temperature, leading to heat-related illnesses, like nausea or headaches.
Here’s what you can do so that you don’t suffer these effects
If you just can’t sleep without your fan, try turning it away in another direction. This way it won’t be blowing directly at you. You can also try to put it by your window, so it can catch the outside air and help it enter the room.
Sources: relayhero.com, brightside.me