Is Sleeping With A Fan On All Night Bad For Your Health?

There are definitely a lot of pros of sleeping with a fan on all night. Many cannot fall asleep during hot and humid nights without a fan so they consider a fan a necessity rather than an amenity. A fan can prevent heat stroke and many other heat-related illnesses.

However, even at a smaller scale, it's just more comfortable to sleep in a cool room! But let's go into a little more detail and explain all of the benefits of sleeping with a fan on. And then we'll go into some of the potential negatives a bit later on.

It's not just the temperature that matters. Sometimes it is even more pleasant for us to sleep in a warmer environment if the air is fresh and the airflow is undisturbed. A constant breeze is exactly the main reason why many people prefer fans over central air conditioners. Air circulation will neutralise unpleasant odours too.

And if you've ever tried to sleep in a stuffy room, we're sure that you'll know what we're talking about. No one likes stale air! And even if your windows are closed, a fan can at least keep the air moving and make you feel more refreshed.

This may sound surprising to you, but think again. Although the fan will be on all night, it consumes significantly less electricity than the air conditioner. There are many ways you can further lower the temperature in the room, to be almost the same as when the air conditioner is active. One such way is to place frozen water bottles in front of a fan. A great example of energy efficiency plus money savings.

Of course, you'd save even more money by not having the fan or the AC on. However, if you're reading this article, we're going to assume that it's far too hot for that to be an option.

Hot sleepers are ready to downplay the cons of sleeping with a fan on right away. While we can understand hot sleepers, as well as other people struggling to fall asleep in an environment that is not cool, one should not forget all the possible downsides, because some of them can be very serious.

That being said, we also don't want to be overly dramatic and create a fan boogyman! So, let's go over all of the potential downsides and then you can decide for yourself whether they're actually significant or not.

Mucus is a fluid substance produced by tissue to protect and moisturise organs and in this case the nasal passages from drying out. The fan will cause the air to be dry, so the body producing excess mucous will be a direct response.

Too much mucus leads to a stuffy nose, snoring and similar problems. That's why a humidifier is necessary if you use a fan. And you can check out this article if you want to see our list of the best humidifiers.

The same goes for skin and eyes. Dry air can cause itching, especially in those who have naturally dry skin. When eyes are dry, a burning sensation is inevitable. To prevent it, apply body lotion to the skin, and choose one which is oily, intended for dry skin. Eye drops can be very helpful both because of the fan and after many hours in front of the screen.

However, it's worth noting that these downsides mostly just apply if the fan is blowing straight at your face. If it's pointed at your back or off to the side, your eyes are less likely to be irritated.

Air filters are essential for allergy sufferers, but we recommend everyone use air filters for collecting dust. No one is immune to dust mites and other allergens in the air. Why risk allergies or just some symptoms of it when it is easy to prevent with the help of air filters?

Plus, it's always a good idea to keep your bed room nice and clean. And this applies to the air as well! You should check the air filter regularly and replace it when you notice that it is dirty.

It is much healthier to sleep with a fan with a rotating base than with a fixed fan that constantly blows in only one direction. When it has a rotating base, you will avoid many of the downsides we talked about while enjoying the cool breeze. Airflow in several directions will not cause a stiff neck and shoulder, while the nose and eyes won’t be that dry.

Plus, getting a fan with a rotating base is rather easy. Even budget-friendly options typically have this option! And if you have a larger budget and want the best cooling fans, a rotating base is a given!

We can’t say that one type of fan is perfect for running all night. Generally, each type can work all night, so the choice depends on your preferences. We advise you to buy a portable one instead of a ceiling one because you will be able to place it at a sufficient distance so that air circulation would not bother you.

Also, a fan that blows in multiple directions is a better choice than a fixed one. The timer option is very useful. Choose one that is easy to disassemble so you can regularly clean the blades and the whole fan. If you leave dust on the blades, that dust will end up in the air and then in your nose and mouth.

Many believe that cooling mattress is the most important because if the mattress has a problem with heat retention, a fan will not help you either. Choose a breathable mattress. Memory foam mattresses have a bad reputation, but new types of foam plus breathable covers and air vents solve this problem.

If you do not want memory foam, then it is even easier to find a breathable mattress, for example, a hybrid one. In case your mattress is comfortable and you do not want to change it, but it is too hot, buy cooling mattress toppers.

You should avoid polyester and similar materials when choosing pyjamas. Polyester is hot and unpleasant for the skin. It will irritate you. Pyjamas must be made of cotton, bamboo, eucalyptus, linen or silk to be cooling. Also, such pyjamas are soft and cosy.

For summer, choose a loose one. This way you can stop your pyjamas from sticking to your skin and making you hotter than you'd like to be. Wash it every few days to keep it clean from sweat.