Winter is here and many of us have been tempted to leave the heating on overnight – but experts warned it can be bad for your health and even lead to long-term issues
Despite the plummeting temperatures, you should never sleep with your heating on.
Winter is in full swing, with Storm Bert delivering high winds and heavy rain across many parts of the country, just days after some regions woke up to a blanket of snow. The chilly weather makes staying under the covers all day incredibly tempting, as we all strive to remain as warm and snug as possible.
This week has seen many of us succumb to the cold and switch on our home heating systems. However, if you’re considering leaving it on overnight for added warmth while you sleep, experts strongly advise against it. Sleep specialists warn sleeping with the heating on can be detrimental to your health, and a GP suggests there could be unexpected long-term health risks.
To add insult to injury, even using an electric blanket for extra nighttime warmth isn’t advisable. A viral TikTok video from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue warns they pose a fire hazard and should never be left unattended or used while sleeping.
According to sleep expert Martin Seeley from MattressNextDay, having your heating on while you sleep can reduce the quality of your sleep overall, as it disrupts your sleep cycle.
He remarked: “Your body temperature naturally drops as you fall asleep, allowing you to enter the deeper, restorative phases of slumber. Sleeping in a heated room interferes with this process, leaving you tossing and turning. The result? Poor-quality sleep that leaves you feeling groggy and irritable the next day.”
Heating systems can also dry out the air around you, potentially leading to dehydration and respiratory irritation while you sleep. Signs of these might include symptoms such as a dry throat, chapped lips, irritated skin, sinus discomfort, or exacerbating allergies.
Other downsides of cranking up the heat at night include faster skin ageing due to dehydration and even the possibility of waking up feeling tired as your body works overtime to stay cool. That’s not all; regular use of the heater at bedtime might lead to longer-term health issues like persistent sleep disruption, immune system stress, cardiovascular strain, and metabolic imbalance.
For those shivering as they slide into bed, there are alternatives to help stay snug without raising the room temperature. Options like thermal tech garments – think heat-conserving PJs and socks – could be wise purchases. Placing a warm water bottle between the sheets before diving in can preheat your bed cosily, and sipping on a warm, non-caffeinated beverage before hitting the pillow can elevate your core body warmth, aiding a night of comfortable sleep.
You might be considering an electric blanket to stave off the chill, but heed this warning: they’re not meant for overnight use. A TikTok clip from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue advises: “Electric blankets are a very cost-effective way to keep warm this winter. However, it is important that we make sure we use these correctly.
“Before use, make sure you check for any damaged cables as this may affect the use of the blanket. Make sure it is plugged into a wall socket and not an extension cable, and you must make sure it is unplugged and turned off before you go to bed.”
Do you have a story to share? Get in touch at yourmirror@trinitymirror.com.
