It’s hot, it’s sticky, and we just can’t sleep!

In the longest heatwave since 1976, it’s been more difficult than ever to get a good night’s sleep. Cold showers before bed aren’t doing the trick anymore and electric fans are sold-out up and down the country with us Brit’s resorting to leaving them on all night long.

Although the whir of a fan and the cool, refreshing breeze is sleep-inducing for some, for others it may be causing more bad than good.  Keep reading for our deep delve into why sleeping with a fan might not be the best idea and what you can do instead to get some much-needed shut-eye.

ASTHMA & ALLERGIES

Fans keep us cool by circulating the air in the room. Unfortunately, dust particles, dust mites, and pollen also get caught up in that and all sort of nasties are sent flurrying around, eventually making their way into our sinuses. If you suffer from asthma, allergies or hay fever then having a fan on at night could worsen your symptoms.

If you do insist on using a fan – in this heat, we don’t blame you – clean the blades before turning it on to get rid of any additional dust. It’s also a good idea to dust all your surfaces regularly, especially your bedside table and floor.

DRYNESS

If you’re prone to dry skin or eczema, sleeping with a fan on could also be disastrous. Not only will the constant blasting of air cause skin to dry out and make it feel itchier and more sensitive than usual but it can also have a similar drying effect on your eyes, nose, and throat.

The solution? It is always wise to have a bottle of water on your bedside to drink from in the night and keep your throat and mouth from becoming dry. We also recommend using eyedrops at night and in the morning to keep eyes feeling fresh and hydrated.

SORE MUSCLES

The constant exposure to cool air can make muscles tense up and cramp during the night. This results in stiff and sore muscles in the morning, especially in the neck and shoulders if you are sleeping with the fan near your head.

All in all, sleeping with a fan on isn’t necessarily bad for you but it can cause irritations, especially to pre-existing health conditions. As with most things, it’s best to monitor your health and find the right #balance for you. If you’re lucky enough to not be bothered by dust and dry air though, keep cool and carry on.