It seems there is so many do’s and don’ts when it comes to a good night’s rest that it can be hard to keep up with.
Sleeping too little can cause problems, sleeping too much also affects your health. But what about what you are sleeping with?
There’s a sleep aid that many of us use that can elicit negative reactions when used improperly, or at all.
Sleeping with a fan on may feel nice in the warmer months, but if not done right it can have health costs.
Sleep Advisor reported:
“For some people, having a ceiling or floor fan in the room helps them fall asleep and stay cool during the night. For others, it can keep them awake, trigger asthma attacks or dry out their eyes.”
So many of us love how a fan not only gives a cooling breeze but helps to drown out noises that may have otherwise interfered with our restful slumber.
The fan is a type of white noise. “White noise combines all sound frequencies, generating a hum that can help people fall asleep”, reports Sleep Advisor.
Some of the white noise machines on the market cost a pretty penny, but a fan is a cheap way to kill two birds with one stone.
However, you may want to start a savings jar for that official white noise machine, because as a fan circulates air, it is pushing dust and pollen up your sinus cavities.
For those who suffer from allergies, asthma, or hay fever, this could mess up more than your night.
I’m sure we all would like to think that we are so on top of things that there is minimal dust on our fan blades, but we would be lying to ourselves.
The dust that gathers on your fan blades is being released and blown around your room every time you turn it on.
This causes irritants to constantly bombard your sensitive nasal passages.
If dust doesn’t bother you, consider your skin when flipping the on switch to high.
The stream of air on you may cause dry skin. You can combat this with extra moisturizers, but who has the time for that.
Keeping the fan on low will typically cause less skin irritation than having it blasting on your face if you can resist the need for some serious air flow.
Sleeping with your eyes open, especially if you wear contact lenses, and a fan on can cause some major discomfort.
And I know what you are thinking, “who sleeps with their eyes open?!”, but it’s a real thing some people naturally do.
That’s not the only thing that you can keep open and bothered. Having your mouth open while sleeping causes your throat to dry out.
Sleep Advisor reported on a particular complication that arises for some people who sleep with a fan, and you may not have even realized the fan was the source of your misery:
“The constant stream of air also has a tendency to dry out your nasal passages, which could affect your sinuses. If the dryness is particularly extreme, it can result in your body producing excess mucous to try to compensate. Then, you’re more susceptible to blockage, stuffiness, and sinus headaches.”
Have you ever woken up with stiffness and had to stretch and pull yourself out of bed
Concentrated cold air on a muscle causes it to tighten, giving you that sore feeling when you arise.
If you notice a couple mornings where your first few steps are uncomfortable, turn the fan off and see if you have corrected the issue.
Despite some old wives’ tales, sleeping with a fan on isn’t going to make you sick, but it also isn’t an aid in your recovery.
Give the blades a break if you haven’t been feeling well, or keep getting allergy complications.
Look at the fan you have. Does it seem to collect dust easily, or is it hard to clean? If so, consider buying a model that makes a quick wipe down simple.
You may be one of those people who aren’t bothered by dust and dry mouth or eyes. That’s great, enjoy your fan.
At least now you know what to look for in you or your family to assess if a fan is right for your home.
Please let us know in the comments section if you have ever experienced any health complications from sleeping with a fan directed on you.