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, โYeah, this is my biggest fanโ. No one ever laughs, and then Iโm left alone in my room wondering what the hell Iโm doing with my life, and wondering, โIs it bad to sleep with a fan blowing on your head?โ
Or maybe not just on my head. Is it bad to sleep with a fan blowing on you? Not going to say where.
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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 youโre 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 youโre 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 theyโre 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?
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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 โOh, it must have been the gym workout yesterdayโ before realizing youโve 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 โconcentrated cool air can make muscles tense up and crampโ making your muscles feel stiff or sore.
โThis problem is especially common for people who sleep with it near their face and neckโ, 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?
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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, letโs face it, youโre going to switch both your fan and air conditioner on and blast that magnificently cool air on your face the whole night anyway, arenโt you?
Well, donโt say we didnโt warn you.
The other option is to pray that itโll rain every night.