Many of us resort to using heaters to cope with cold weather, but this habit may make you more susceptible to serious illnesses. Turning off the heater at night before sleeping not only protects your immune system but also saves on your electricity bill. Here’s what can happen to your body when you run the heater at home, according to "brightside."
- **Impact on Sleep**
In the evening, our bodies experience a slight drop in temperature by sending heat away from the heart, signaling that it is time for sleep. However, when your room temperature is high, it may hinder your body’s thermoregulation process, leading to fatigue, discomfort, and insomnia. High ambient temperatures can reduce the time spent in non-REM sleep, which not only makes you feel dizzy the next day but may also affect physical recovery, memory, and learning. This is why adding another blanket instead of turning on the heater might be a better solution, as you can easily remove a layer when you get warm.
- **Chest Pain and Heart Problems**
Heaters generate a lot of heat, which in turn increases carbon monoxide levels in the room. This is why it is not recommended to keep them running for long periods, as the heat can raise carbon dioxide levels above safe limits, which can be harmful to our health. Prolonged use of heaters can lead to chest pain and the onset of other heart issues, particularly for individuals with heart-related conditions and asthma, who should exercise extra caution.
- **Effects on Male Fertility**
Exposure to heat for prolonged periods may be a significant factor in male infertility. It is better to turn off the heater and start sleeping in a cooler room.
- **Drying of Your Skin**
Sleeping with the heater on all night can also cause our skin to dry out due to a lack of moisture. This can lead to easy irritation, flakiness, and itching. Individuals who tend to keep the heater close to them are more susceptible to skin dryness.
- **Air Poisoning in Your Room**
If your room is not properly ventilated, excessive heat for long periods can negatively impact indoor air quality. This can lead to long-term health consequences and respiratory issues, such as asthma, and can trigger allergies and cause other serious illnesses.
- **Weakened Immune System**
Bacteria thrive longer in dry air, which is why conditions created by leaving the heater on can foster an environment in which bacteria flourish. This is indeed the reason we often get sick and catch the flu more frequently during winter months when the air in our rooms is drier.
