Lifestyle

Sleeping with a Fan That’s Blowing on You Directly Can Cause Health Issues

2019-07-27 , 4:00 am

Last Updated on 2023-06-16 , 2:24 pm

Is it bad to sleep with a fan blowing on your head?

One of my favourite things to do when people come over to my house is to bring them to my room, play my guitar, then point to my ceiling fan and say, “Yeah, this is my biggest fan”. No one ever laughs, and then I’m left alone in my room wondering what the hell I’m doing with my life, and wondering, “Is it bad to sleep with a fan blowing on your head?”

Or maybe not just on my head. Is it bad to sleep with a fan blowing on you? Not going to say where.

In a hot and humid country like Singapore, fans and air conditioners are essential to beat the heat, especially in the night.

But, just like when you’re a rock star, sleeping with a fan may not be the best idea.

Allergic reactions

Now, while fans do help to circulate air and cool down the temperature in your room, this circulation can also cause allergic reactions.

According to The Sleep Advisor, fans can also circulate the dust and pollen in your room, which can end up in your sinuses. So, if you’re prone to allergies, this could cause a few health problems.

Dust can also collect on the blades of your fan (just look at them when they’re not moving), so every time you turn it on, the dust particles have a party dancing about in the air.

Yes, this means we know the answer to this: Can a fan make you sick? The answer is a resounding yes.

Dry air

Another reason not to sleep with a fan is that the constant blast of air can dry out your skin. So, if you wake up feeling like someone switched out your skin for sandpaper, it may be because of your fan.

So, is it bad to have a fan blowing on your face?

In the same way, fans can also dry out your nasal passages. And, if your nasal passages become too dry, this can cause your body to produce excess mucus to compensate. Consequently, you might suffer blockage, stiffness, and sinus headaches.

Sore muscles

Ever wake up with sore muscles thinking “Oh, it must have been the gym workout yesterday” before realizing you’ve not been to the gym in three years?

Well, according to The Sleep Advisor, if you sleep with the fan blowing directly on you, the “concentrated cool air can make muscles tense up and cramp” making your muscles feel stiff or sore.

“This problem is especially common for people who sleep with it near their face and neck”, they added.

Solution

So, if fans make you sick, and if air conditioners are bad for the environment and your wallet, how can you keep cool?

Here are some tips:

Take a cold shower before sleeping
Keep your blinds closed
Sleep naked
Sleep on top of the covers with the windows open

But, let’s face it, you’re going to switch both your fan and air conditioner on and blast that magnificently cool air on your face the whole night anyway, aren’t you?

Well, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

The other option is to pray that it’ll rain every night.