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The scorching heat of summer has made us fall in love with air conditioners (AC) . It is everywhere. Be it from your homes, cars, offices, shopping complexes, multiplexes or public transport, you can always find an AC to keep yourself sweat-free.
But, do you know that staying in AC for a long time has many side effects too? We will discuss all these harmful effects here, so that you can be careful.
Side effects of AC (Air Conditioners)
1. Laziness
People who have air conditioners in their homes and offices are lethargic. Laziness is a common problem if the ACs around you usually work at low temperature. So, if you feel short of energy, set a higher temperature on your cooling machine. Also, leave the air-conditioned area and enjoy the fresh air to reactivate your body.
2. Dehydration
Air conditioners pull moisture out of the air, which is great if you live in a humid area. But, generally dry air can also dehydrate you. The amount of water in our environment is already decreasing and if we use AC for a long time, our body may get dehydrated. Dehydration causes a number of problems, including dry lips, headaches and fatigue.
3. Headache
Headaches are irritating. But, you might deal with it frequently if you prefer air conditioning throughout the day and night. As AC makes the environment dry, people experience dehydration. Here comes an interesting fact. The human brain shrinks temporarily if the body fluid levels are low, resulting in headaches.
4. Respiratory problems
Sudden changes in temperature due to AC leads to various respiratory disorders. Hence, we suggest you use the AC at high temperatures and say safe from problems related to your respiration system. In addition, the air filters of AC contain dust and bacteria, if it’s not serviced or cleaned. They increase the chances of asthma and respiratory tract infections.
5. Dry eyes and skin
AC worsens the symptoms if you have dry eyes. Hence, do not stay in air-conditioned areas for long if you have dry eye syndrome. Otherwise, your eyes will be more itchy and irritated.
Dry skin is common among people who sit in air conditioners for a long. Exposure to sunlight and AC also makes your skin itchy.
6. Electricity
Air conditioners consume a lot of electricity, which is a burden for individuals who pay utility bills. Moreover, high power production leads to several environmental damages. A significant amount of electricity is produced by burning coal, which releases greenhouse gases and multiple other pollutants in our atmosphere.
Tips to keep your body and home cool without AC
Stay hydrated with Earthen Pots
Your body sweats to stay cool. This means that you must keep yourself hydrated in summers. Drink plenty of water. Water stored in aluminum or plastic containers, such as RO, is not worth drinking.
Fit Humara Bharat advises to drink water kept in an earthen pot. Earthen Pot water is very beneficial, it will keep you calm and cool from inside.
This was one major reason why our ancestors lived happily even without fan or AC in summer.
Take a cold shower
Taking a cold shower lowers your core temperature and keeps your body cool. For extra freshness, try peppermint soap, its menthol makes you feel cold.
Wear cool cloths
Place ice bags on your wrists, if temperature in summers are very high. You can also use it around your neck. Cold wash-rags cool you down fast.
Use table/box fan
Table fans blow out cool air, especially if you point their backs out the windows. Also, open all the windows in your home to facilitate cross-flow-ventilation. Turn them off when the sun comes out.
Close the curtains
Do you have windows exposed to direct sunlight? Then, close their curtains to avoid warming up the indoors due to sun rays. You can also use blackout curtains to keep the house temperature under control.
Use breathable fabrics in your bedroom
Cotton is one of the most breathable fabrics. Hence, you should use cotton sheets, blankets, pillow covers and mattress covers.
💡Interesting Tip: Try to buy cotton with a lower thread count.
Install exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom
After you have finished cooking, turn on the exhaust fan in your kitchen. Similarly, turn it on after you have finished showering.
Use energy-efficient bulbs
Use LED bulbs or any other latest technology which consumes less energy and generates minimum heat. Incandescent light bulbs are not good for use indoors because they raise the temperature of the room.
Cook outside whenever possible
Not all of us have a patio, lawn or garden. But, if there is an outdoor area then use it for cooking.
Conclusion
Air conditioners are made to enhance your comfort. But, its consistent usage leads to a wide range of troubles. If your immune system is not strong, you have any undetected illness or you do not take care of your skin, you might suffer from several problems.
Hence, it is better to enjoy fresh air if possible. Stay in the air conditioner when required, but do not make it a part of your lifestyle.
Thank You 🙏
- Heat-Related Illness Is Associated with Lack of Air Conditioning and Pre-Existing Health Problems in Detroit, Michigan, USA: A Community-Based Participatory Co-Analysis of Survey Data
- Effects of air-conditioning systems in the public areas of hospitals: A scoping review
- Health effects of heating, ventilation and air conditioning on hospital patients: a scoping review
- Human health and air conditioning systems
- Association Between Air Conditioning Use and Self-reported Symptoms During the 2018 Heat Wave in Korea
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