Sleeping with a fan at night can be beneficial, however, experts cautions to ensure it's set to a comfortable level to avoid discomfort or dryness.
Sleeping with a fan on in the summer can be a life-saver, offering instant relief from the heat and providing a soothing white noise. But, it could also be doing more harm than good, according to experts. Here's the lowdown on whether you should ditch your trusty fan for a cooler, allergy-free night.
Can You Sleep with a Fan On Overnight?
The short answer is yes, but there are some considerations worth keeping in mind. Fans create a cooling breeze, but they also stir up dust, pollen, and dry air, which can irritate your skin and airways.
Dr. Emma Lin, a sleep medicine physician and co-founder of ReadyO2, explains, "Fans can dehydrate your throat and nostrils. They circulate dust and pollen, which might cause sneezing or coughing." If you've ever woken up with a dry throat, itchy eyes, or blocked sinuses, the fan could be the culprit.
Dr. Hussain Ahmad, a consultant at Click2Pharmacy, adds, "Fans blow around allergens and dry out the air, which can make allergies worse and dry your skin." Over time, this dryness can affect sleep quality and increase sensitivity to airborne irritants.
Making it Work for You
If you're not ready to give up your fan, there are simple ways to make it safer and more comfortable. To start, regularly clean your fan to keep it free of dust and allergens. Oscillating fans or those aimed at the wall can reduce negative effects.
Dr. Hussain Ahmad suggests, "Use an air purifier to remove dust and pollen. And add a humidifier if the air is too dry - it keeps your nose and throat from drying out." It's a good idea to invest in an air purifier, like the Molekule Air Mini or the Coway Airmega Aim, to ensure a good night's sleep free of allergies and dryness.
Simple changes to your bedding and routine can also help. Choose natural fabrics like cotton or bamboo for better airflow, and avoid memory foam, which traps heat. A warm shower before bed helps your body cool naturally.
You can also cool down the room itself. Keep blinds closed during the day to block heat, open windows when it's cooler outside, or try placing a frozen water bottle in bed an hour before sleep.
In conclusion, with proper precautions and using the right equipment, you can sleep with a fan on without fear. So, go ahead and catch those Zs with the sweet relief of a cool breeze by your side.
1) In terms of health-and-wellness, sleeping with a fan on could potentially dehydrate your throat and nostrils, stir up dust and pollen, and aggravate allergies or skin dryness, according to experts like Dr. Emma Lin and Dr. Hussain Ahmad.
2) To make sleeping with a fan more comfortable and safer, try routine cleaning of the fan to remove dust and allergens, and consider using an oscillating fan or one aimed at the wall.
3) Additionally, for indoor air quality, employ an air purifier, such as the Molekule Air Mini or Coway Airmega Aim, to filter out dust and pollen. If the air is too dry, adding a humidifier may also help keep your nose and throat from drying out.
4) As for lifestyle choices, opt for natural fabrics like cotton or bamboo for bedding that offers better airflow and avoid memory foam that traps heat. A warm shower before bed can naturally cool your body, and closing blinds during the day can reduce room heat.
5) When it comes to food-and-drink, try cooling down the room by opening windows when it's cooler outside or placing a frozen water bottle in bed an hour before sleep to ensure a comfortable sleeping environment. In this way, you can enjoy a restful night of sleep with the soothing white noise of a fan.
