Households in the UK are being urged to avoid leaving electric fans running during specific hours this week as the scorching heatwave sends temperature soaring to 33C. With the rising temperatures across many regions, several people will be switching on their fans to bring down the heat levels.
Though running a fan overnight might seem like a great way to stay cool while sleeping, it could unintentionally cause discomfort or health concerns, an expert has warned. Dry air, congestion, or even muscle stiffness from constant airflow are just a few potential downsides worth considering. Martin Seeley, sleep specialist and CEO of MattressNextDay, has outlined five key reasons why leaving your fan on overnight might not be the best idea – cautioning that it could lead to several unwanted side effects.
“Fans don’t just move air, they also circulate dust, pollen, and other allergens that have settled on your furniture and fan blades,” Martin points out, reports the Manchester Evening News.
“If you suffer from allergies or asthma, this can exacerbate your symptoms overnight, resulting in sneezing, coughing, and congestion by morning.
“Constant airflow from a fan can dry out your skin, eyes, and nasal passages.
“This dryness can lead to irritation, sore throats, and even trigger your body to produce excess mucus, making you feel more congested and uncomfortable.”
Martin warned that fans blowing directly on your body can excessively cool muscles, causing stiffness or cramps, particularly in your neck and shoulders.
He explained: “This can result in you waking up feeling achy and tense.”
“The cool, dry air can irritate sensitive areas and trigger headaches, especially if you already have a headache tendency or haven’t kept yourself well hydrated throughout the hot day,” Martin notes. “This makes it harder to fall and stay asleep.
“You risk overcooling your body. Your body naturally lowers its temperature to initiate sleep, but excessive cooling from a fan can interfere with this process.”
But the expert added: “To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with using an electrical fan to cool down your room as long as you only use it for a short period.
“I’d, therefore, recommend that you turn your fan on 30 minutes before you plan on going to sleep, and then once it’s time to go to bed, set it on a timer for a further 60 minutes. This will help you cool down enough to go to sleep, without exposing yourself to the risks of all-night airflow.”