Is Sleeping with a Fan On Bad for You

Is Sleeping with a Fan On Bad for You

As the temperatures start to rise in spring and early summer, many people opt for placing a fan by their bed. The cool breeze makes it easier to sleep, but is it healthy, or can sleeping with a fan make you sick?

There are pros and cons that come with it, and while it is not dangerous, it could cause symptoms like allergies, dry skin, and tense muscles. Some people report no issues when having a fan in the room at night, but others may be experiencing unpleasant symptoms without realizing the cause – the fan.

To fully understand the potential side effects of sleeping with a fan, we are going to dig deeper into the issue. Should you get a fan or are you better off skipping it? Let’s find out.

Benefits of Sleeping with a Fan

Is it good to sleep with a fan on? Let’s start with the benefits that come with setting up a fan or a portable AC unit in your room at night before we investigate the downsides.

We all know that it feels great to have that cool and comfortable air hitting your face as you drift off to sleep, but there are actually multiple benefits to be aware of when sleeping with a fan on.

Cooling Effect

The most obvious benefit is the cooling effect a fan will have, and especially during the summer months and hot nights. Many people also experience a soothing and calming effect from the humming sound emitted by the fan, which could possibly aid with sleep.

Preventing Dehydration and Mineral Deficiencies

When humans sweat, we may become dehydrated or lose important minerals, and is kept cool with the help of a fan has the potential power of preventing this.

Better Sleep

The US National Library of Medicine published a study that showed a significant improvement in sleeping behaviors when exposing babies to white noise, and the sound of a buzzing fan is similar to the white noise emitted by, for example, a TV. Is sleeping with a fan on bad for you if you are a baby?

Unless the baby has allergies, it appears it might even be beneficial.

Prevents Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?

An interesting discovery, mentioned in this 2008 article, is that having a fan in the room might possibly reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). 

Downsides of Sleeping with a Fan

You would be surprised by how often someone asks themselves this: Is sleeping with a fan on bad for you? The answer is different for every person, and we are going to help you answer it for yourself by listing potential cons that come with having a fan in your room at night.

Allergies

You may have never thought of it, but when your fan blows air around the room, it is also blowing around dust particles, pollen, and other allergens, which could become a problem for someone with seasonal allergies and asthma. Is sleeping with a fan on bad for you if you are prone to allergies? Possibly, yes.

Nasal ; Throat Congestion

Okay, so why does sleeping with a fan make your throat hurt? The reason is that constant air flow could possibly dry out your throat and nose, causing discomfort and even congestion. If you keep waking up excessively thirsty at night, your fan could be the problem.

Dry Skin ; Eyes

Does sleeping with a fan dehydrate you? Possibly, but even more so, it could dehydrate your skin. Skin conditions could worsen when having cool air blowing directly at you throughout the night, but moisturizing properly before bedtime could eliminate (or reduce) this issue.

Worsens Body Aches

When asking the question “Is sleeping with a fan on bad for you,” the answer for some people will inevitably be yes. For someone who is suffering from chronic muscle aches or who is sore after exercise or injury, a fan could actually worsen these pains! 

The reason is that cold air can cause muscles to become tense, which could stunt your recovery. The ideal room temperature for someone with muscle aches is 60 and 67 degrees (F), and a fan may not be recommendable. 

What You Can Do to Minimize Negative Effects

Is sleeping with a fan on bad for you, and if so, is there anything to do to make it more manageable? Fortunately, yes! If you have been experiencing side effects, then you can try to move the fan further away from your bed, or set an alarm so that you only have the fan on for a short time at night.

There is a big difference between blasting a fan for 8 hours and letting it cool you for an hour or two.

What Type of Fan to Use?

If you are one of the lucky individuals who can enjoy the cooling benefits of a fan without experiencing congestion and itchy eyes, then sleeping with a fan could be close to a life-saver on hot summer nights.

It is up to you whether you prefer a regular fan or if you want to have a look at reviews of other products, such as a portable AC device like the Blast Auxiliary.

Conclusion

So, is sleeping with a fan bad for you, or does it come with certain benefits? The answer is: It depends. Some people can sleep comfortably with the blowing cool air, while others may find that there are side effects of sleeping with a fan and that it worsens their allergy symptoms. 

The downsides of sleeping with a fan are not dangerous but could be uncomfortable, and any of the symptoms mentioned in this article are signs that could indicate that sleeping with a fan isn’t working for you. 

Is sleeping with a fan on bad for you? For some people, the answer is yes, but try to move it further away from you or buy an air filter before jumping to conclusions. After all, nothing compares to a good night’s sleep that isn’t interrupted by heat and stuffy air.