Many Scots will be finding it more difficult than ever to get to sleep at the moment thanks to the current heatwave.
Homes in the UK tend to be built to retain heat rather than keep it out, which means hours of uncomfortable tossing and turning on hot nights whilst trying to drift off.
Having an electric fan on overnight may seem like a good solution to this problem, but experts have strongly advised against doing this, as it can actually cause a number of different health problems.
CEO and sleep expert at MattressNextDay, Martin Sealy, is urging people to switch off their fans at night, claiming that keeping them on can often do more harm than good.
He's also offered some alternatives for people struggling to sleep in the heat that are more effective and won't run up your energy bills.
Why you shouldn't use electric fans at night
It can trigger allergens and asthma
Naturally, when an electric fan is on it circulates the air around the room, however, what many people aren’t aware of is that it also circulates dust mites, spores, pollen, and other allergens.
So, if you find that you’re suffering from excessive sneezing, watery eyes, a runny nose, itchy throats and even breathing difficulties, make sure that there is no dust on the blades of your electric fan.
If you have the budget, it is worth upgrading to a better fan that can purify the air by reducing the pollen particles and dust mites throughout the room. However, if this isn’t possible, regularly deep cleaning your bedroom will help alleviate your allergies.
It can make you congested
If you’ve ever had an electric fan on all day, you’ll be aware of how dry the air feels due to the excess wind. Naturally, over time this can dry out your nose and throat which results in your body needing to produce more mucus to stay hydrated.
However, this can create many side effects, including a headache, stuffy nose and even a sinus headache. To stop this from happening, you should ensure that you drink at least two litres of water throughout the day.
If you find that this is happening, you should make sure to drink at least two litres of water throughout the day. This is also recommended for those that have suffered from a poor night’s sleep due to the heat, as even mild dehydration can cause you to feel even more drowsy and tired.
It can give you dry eyes and cause an irritation
Dry air can also cause dry eyes, which can lead to irritation. This is even more important for those that wear contact lenses due to them increasing your likelihood of dryness and irritations.
You can, however, get around this if you purchase a rotating electric heater as it circulates the air more.
It can cause a stiff neck or sore muscles
If you have any pre-existing muscle pains, perhaps from working out or from improper posture whilst working at a desk, you should refrain 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. You may even notice that you’ve gained a stiff neck since using an electric fan so refrain from using it for a few nights to see if you spot a difference.
How to keep cool at night
Instead of running the electric fan all night long, Martin has suggested some more cost-effective ways to beat the heat.
These include:
- Freezing your pillowcase before bedtime
- Run your wrists under cold water when brushing your teeth
- Keep your bedroom curtains shut all day
- Drink at least two litres of water throughout the day
- Switch to a lighter coloured duvet
- Move your bed against the longest wall in the room
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