The bottom line. For some people, turning on a fan before bed is a critical step in their nightly routine. The cool breeze can keep the heat at bay and help you get a good night's sleep. But for others, fans can circulate dry air that causes allergies or other uncomfortable symptoms.
Helps Maintain a Comfortable Sleep Environment
For those trying to sleep when it is hot, a fan may be a good option for keeping the air circulating without the elevated cost of running an air conditioner. A fan is also practical for people in urban areas who prefer to keep windows shut because of street noise.
Air from your fan can irritate your sinuses and dry out your nose, mouth, and throat. In response to this, your body may start to overproduce mucus, which can cause congestion (stuffy nose) and headaches. Additionally, sleeping with a fan can cause a sore throat.
Using the sound of a fan for sleeping is a popular strategy for getting better, more continuous sleep. The white noise-like sound blocks out other sounds and provides a low, constant hum that may help you fall asleep faster, with fewer disruptions.
Ceiling fans can be the best option to sleep with to relax your body and brain instead of an AC or cooler. However, an AC or cooler can be tempting but isn't the best option for your health. But sleeping with a fan on is always a better option as it provides us with natural sleep and several benefits.
According to Sleep Advisor, sleeping with a fan on might not always be a great idea for health-related reasons. While having a fan does circulate air to make your room cooler and fresher, it can also circulate pollen and dust. Which definitely isn't ideal if you suffer from allergies, asthma or hay fever.
It can cause a stiff neck or sore muscles
If you suffer from any pre-existing muscle pain you should hold back from directing the electric fan on this area throughout the night. “This is because the concentrated cool air can make your muscles tense and cramp up, causing you even more pain,” Seeley says.
Research has shown that cooling the face with a fan is effective at reducing breathlessness. It is thought that cooling the cheeks, nose and mouth areas sends a message to the brain which reduces the feeling of breathlessness.
Is it OK to sleep in my bra? There's nothing wrong with wearing a bra while you sleep if that's what you're comfortable with. Sleeping in a bra will not make a girl's breasts perkier or prevent them from getting saggy. And it will not stop breasts from growing or cause breast cancer.
Americans also perform all kinds of rituals to get a good night's sleep. Top rituals include: sleeping with a fan or white noise machine (28 percent), taking a hot bath or shower before bed (26 percent) and reading a relaxing book (21 percent).
Studies suggest that cool airflow across the face — from room air delivered under pressure or using a fan — can reduce breathlessness at rest. Fan therapy in patients with chronic breathlessness has helped control breathing at rest, but whether it can benefit COPD patients during exercise is unknown.
Is It Bad to Sleep With Socks On? Wearing socks to sleep comes with very few risks, other than discomfort for those that prefer the feeling of being barefoot. Be sure to wear socks that are loose, and do not wear compression socks to bed unless directed by a doctor or other medical professional.
Hand-held fan
This technique can help to reduce the feelings of anxiety and breathlessness and give the sensation of getting more air in, thus aiding relaxation. The air produced by the fan stimulates small nerve receptors in the face which in turn stimulate the brain to slow down the rate of breathing.
Sleeping with a fan on may trigger nasal congestion because the breeze from the fan may dry out the moisture from your nose and throat. So, you may experience a stuffy nose, headache, sore throat, snoring, watery eyes when you regularly sleep under a fan.
Avoid moving air.
If a ceiling fan, heater, or air conditioner blows toward your face while you're lying in bed, change that. Senior says his patients often say their coughing is worse when any air blows on them at night.
Many people report waking up with a stiff neck after having cool air blow on them for the night, such as from a fan, vent, or open window.
If you're consciously trying to reduce energy bills at home, rest assured that even running a fan all night is typically inexpensive, and is sure to cost less than cranking up the AC.
The Truth About Sleeping Under a Fan and Arthritis
While exposure to cold temperatures can exacerbate arthritis symptoms, it does not cause the condition. That being said, sleeping under a fan can cause other health issues, such as dry skin, sinus congestion, and sore muscles.
Often, having a 'standby' sound keep your brain company as you fall asleep is better than silence because silence is more easily and effectively broken with random sounds. When you have sounds playing, the interruption is less noticeable and may not interrupt your sleep at all.
According to Dr. Leann Poston of Invigor Medical, “Elevating your head before bed can increase drainage and decrease congestion.” That's why the best position to sleep with a stuffy nose is on your back with different types of pillows elevating your head and neck.
It is normal for many people to hug their pillow when they are trying to fall asleep. This may be due to the fact that it makes them feel secure and helps them deal with fear and anxiety. Cuddling a pillow can also be a sign of possessiveness or insecurity.
When to wash. Rossi generally tells his patients they should wash their hair once or twice per week. But if you've had chemical treatments that can make your hair drier — such as bleach, perms or relaxers — you might want to wash it less than once weekly to avoid breaking or brittle hair or split ends, he said.