- Physician advises not to run a fan throughout the night during summertime.
- It can cause allergies to flare up, sore muscles and a dry nose and throat
- READ MORE: Crucial laundry rule you might be breaking without even realising it
With the arrival of warmer weather,Britons have started using fans to keep cool; however,a leading physician has warned against keeping these devices on all night long while sleeping.
PhD health expert Dr Naheed Ali said running a fan in the bedroom all night can 'create hidden stress on the body'.
The doctor mentioned that running the fan throughout the night might dry out your sinuses and throat, causing you to feel parched and stuffy when you wake up.
Operating a fan throughout the night might lead to muscle stiffness and disturb settled dust, which could result in chest constriction and frequent sneezing for individuals who have asthma or allergies.
Speaking with LADbible Dr Ali mentioned that for those who cannot fall asleep without having their fan on, there are several measures they can adopt to mitigate the associated health risks.
The doctor, a senior contributor at Vera Clinic, elucidated that a fan provides comfort during hot weather by accelerating evaporation, which in turn cools the skin.
Constant airflow through the night can leave the nasal passages and throat feeling uncomfortably dry and cause issues the next day.
Dr Ali explained that when the airway becomes dry, it leads to thicker mucus production. This thick mucus can capture allergens and irritants near delicate tissues. As a result, over time, individuals might experience persistent symptoms like coughing, a raspy voice, or congested sinuses throughout the day.
'Constant airflow can stir up dust from bedsheets and floors as well. Small particles like lint, dander, and pollen remain airborne and might penetrate deeper into your respiratory tract when you're sleeping.'
Individuals suffering from asthma or minor allergies frequently experience increased chest constriction or sneezing upon waking up when a fan has been running all night.
Fresh breeze circulating over your muscles and joints for an extended period might lead to a decrease in tissue temperature, potentially resulting in a painful neck and shoulders upon waking, as explained by Dr. Ali.
He explained, 'When muscles become cold, they contract instinctively for protection, and this tightness can continue until a warm shower or light stretches improve circulation.'
If using a fan is the sole remedy for getting comfortable sleep on a sweltering night, Dr Alli suggests setting it on a timer.
He said to set the timer to last the first sleep cycle of 90 minutes so it switches off after you've dozed off.
The doctor said not to direct the fan's airflow onto the bed but instead to an opposite wall and to keep a glass of water within reach to relieve a dry mouth or throat.
He also added that those who react to dust should replace bedroom filters and wash sheets weekly to reduce the amount of lint, dander and pollen.
For those who want to avoid using their fans at night, there are some useful tricks that will help you sleep coolly.
Dr Lindsay Browning, a psychologist and sleep expert at And So To Bed, explained why heat is so disruptive to our sleep:
'As we fall asleep, our body temperature naturally drops. When the room is too hot or your covers are too thick, you can struggle to reduce your body temperature, which makes falling asleep much harder,' she said.
But while sleeplessness is a common complaint during a heatwave, the warm weather doesn't have to stop you from getting good quality shuteye.
Considering that merely five percent of homes in the UK are equipped with air conditioning, it becomes essential to explore alternate ways to reduce indoor temperatures.
Moreover, although finding ways to cool off demands some imagination, it isn’t nearly as complex as you might assume.
Dr. Browning has revealed some easy tips for keeping cool during nighttime without using an air conditioner – and one of them involves grabbing something that usually helps with cold weather: your hot water bottle.
Chill your warm water bottle
Right now, you might have assumed that you won’t need your hot water bottle until next winter. However, it turns out that it can actually help during scorching summers too.
Doctor Browning recommends identifying your container, then filling it to two-thirds full before placing it in the freezer for two hours.
Retrieve the frozen hot water bottle half an hour or so before your normal bedtime and place it on your bed to cool it down.
So long as you remove it before you get into bed so the bottle doesn't directly touch your skin, you'll be set for a much more comfortable night.
Place your socks or pillowcase in the freezer.
If it’s unbearably hot and you’re tossing around trying to get some shut-eye, consider sticking your pillowcases or socks in the freezer before hitting the sack.
By storing your socks or pillowcases in a plastic bag inside the freezer for a few hours during the day, you'll discover that they offer an immediate cool feeling once worn or used.
The refreshing impact can assist in lowering your body heat, which may subsequently aid you in feeling more at ease while sleeping.
Store your nighttime skin care products in the refrigerator.
As more of us adopt nighttime skincare routines, do you realize that keeping certain products chilled during summer can enhance their benefits?
If you do choose to cool your creams in the fridge, you will undoubtedly find your nightly skincare ritual becomes even more pleasurable for its refreshing effects.
And, in addition to cooling your skin down, keeping moisturisers, serums and face masks in the fridge can also help to extend their shelf life.
Use a water spray at night
To assist in reducing your body temperature when lacking air conditioning, use a water spray bottle or misting device to cool down by spraying cold water on your face, neck, and wrists.
Dr. Browning also recommends gently spraying your duvet covers, mattress, and pillows to assist with keeping you cool.
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