8 Side Effects of Staying in AC for Long Hours

Air conditioners are an integral part of our lives, the use of which increases greatly when summer comes. Air conditioner helps us to cool our body from the scorching heat of sun and creates a comfortable indoor environment. Some people attach great importance to air conditioning in their workplaces, in their cars and in their homes.

Although air conditioners give us coolness and instant relaxation, prolonged exposure to artificially controlled environment can have some side effects on our health. In this article, let’s take a look at 8 side effects of staying in AC (air conditioned) room for a long time and also learn ways to mitigate them.

Here Are 8 Side Effects of Living In AC Rooms

Air conditioners give us an instant cool and comfortable experience. But, according to PubMed’s research, excessive consumption of these can have many negative effects on our health. Some of the important ones are given below:

1. Dry Skin and Eyes

Our skin and eyes become dry due to air conditioner reducing the humidity level. Prolonged exposure to air conditioning increases the risk of itching, redness and discomfort. If you want to protect yourself from this, keep yourself adequately hydrated and use some good quality moisturizer or eye drops.

2. Respiratory Issues

Air conditioners remove moisture from the air, thereby increasing dryness in the air. And ingesting this air for long periods of time can make people more susceptible to respiratory infections.

Poor quality or improperly maintained air conditioners can cause allergy symptoms like runny nose, sneezing and headaches. Especially those with allergies or asthma are more prone to health problems.

Exposing ourselves to the cold air of the air conditioner for a long time can affect the lining of the respiratory tract. This then increases the risk of developing respiratory diseases.

3. Increased Allergy Symptoms

Air conditioners are more likely to trap dust, pollen, and other allergens that can circulate through your room and enter your lungs through your nose. Its continuous consumption leads to sneezing, congestion and breathing problems. So, clean AC filters regularly and use air purifiers to reduce these ill effects.

4. Muscle Stiffness and Joint Pain

It can bring muscle rigidity and joint pains when temperatures fluctuation happens suddenly especially when one goes from air conditioned spaces to outside. In order to avoid such discomforts, it is best to dress up correctly, do exercises regularly stretch and ensure that room temperature is conducive.

5. Fatigue and Lethargy

When a person stays in a cold place for a long period, he may feel tired and lack strength. Because airflow that carries freshness from outside has been excluded, no exposure to natural sunlight occurs hence feelings of depression and low vitality. An alternative is having intervals outdoors, where there is involvement in workouts enables the entry of new breaths in the room hence preventing against tiredness.

6. Impact on Immune System

Excessive dependence on air conditioning weakens your body’s immune system. The body gets sick because it becomes less able to defend itself from diseases when it is not exposed to different temperatures or microorganisms. This is why it is vital for the immune system to be maintained strong through maintaining balance between natural ventilation and air conditioning.

7. Increased Energy Consumption

Air conditioning systems need a lot of electricity which makes people pay more for it and influences the environmental situation greatly. By using AC too much we waste resources and make more greenhouse gases. Therefore, we should follow the directions of using our conditioners, new up-to-date ones would be better for energy saving options and when it is possible to look for other cooling systems.

8. Sleep Disruptions

Some people find that sleeping in an air conditioned place doesn’t allow them get sleep naturally. The low temperatures could prevent proper restful deep rest which results in night time awakening and feeling tiredness on waking up. However adjusting the room’s temperature or just relying on fans rather than air conditioned systems can enhance quality of sleep.

How to Keep Cool in a Room Without AC

There are several simple ways to keep cool in a room without relying on an air conditioner. Here are few of them:

1. Use fans: Install fans properly to increase air flow to every room of the house. You can feel the refreshing breeze by using ceiling fans, pedestal fans or desk fans.
2. Close curtains or blinds: Close the curtains or blinds to prevent the room from becoming too warm when the sun is at its hottest.
3. Use natural ventilation: During the coolest part of the day like early mornings or evenings, it is advisable to keep doors and windows wide open to let in fresh air. Fans should be placed near open windows to create a draught.
4. Optimize airflow: Position furniture and household objects in a way that allows air to flow around them freely. Do not put anything in front of air conditioners or on walls where there are openings for cold air.
5. Utilize cool water: You can either wet a towel or a piece of fabric in cold water and put it on your forehead, neck, or wrists or put a bowl of ice or a bottle of cold water in front of a fun fan to make yourself cool again.
6. Create a DIY air cooler: Fill a shallow pan or bowl with ice and position it in front of a fan. As the fan blows air over the ice, it creates a cooling mist.
7. Use breathable fabrics: Prefer lightweight and breathable materials for your bedding, curtains, and upholstery. By letting the air move through, cotton and linen would keep you cool, which are natural materials.
8. Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and regulate your body temperature. Avoid excessive consumption of caffeinated or sugary beverages, as they can dehydrate you.
9. Limit heat producing activities: It’s better to cut down on heat-producing devices such as stoves, ovens and dryers when it’s most active hot. Consider cooler options like outdoor grilling or letting your clothes dry in the air.
10. Take advantage of cool surfaces: Lie on cool tiles or use a chilled gel pack or ice pack wrapped in a towel to cool down your body.

Final Words

Although air conditioning offers instant relief from heat, it’s essential to be aware of the possible drawbacks of prolonged exposure. By understanding these drawbacks and taking precautions, we can find a balance between comfort and our overall wellbeing.

Remember to control the room temperature, ensure adequate ventilation, and prioritize natural elements to minimize the effects of spending long hours in an air conditioned environment.