Why you should switch off the aircon this summer

Durban’s scorching summer days often lead those who can, to blast the aircon in an effort to keep cool and comfortable.

While you may think that AC is the answer to your hot-and-bothered problems, Doctor NDTV provided these below reasons why giving the AC a break could benefit you.

1. Dry eyes

If already suffering with dry or sensitive eyes, working in an AC environment could worsen the matter, causing itchiness and irritability. Drying out your eyes leads them to further become more sensitive to bright lights (fluorescents) and the sun.

2. Dry skin

Dry and itchy skin can become a norm for those working in a constantly air conditioned environment. Most dry skin symptoms disappear after a few hours in the natural environment’s temperature.

3. Dehydration

Rates of dehydration are higher in AC rooms than in natural temperatures. This may either be from the AC sucking too much needed-humidity out of the room, or the AC cooling your body to a point where you don’t feel the need (and forget) to drink water.

The best kept secret: 12 benefits of drinking hot water

4. Respiratory problems

Respiratory problems include those in the nose, throat and eyes. You may experience dry throat, rhinitis and nasal blockage. Rhinitis is a condition which causes inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose.

5. Asthma and allergies

AC has been shown to significantly worsen conditions in those who have allergies and asthma. While staying indoors may keep you away from the irritants that lurk in nature, not cleaning and properly maintaining your  AC can cause irritants to continue to be circulated throughout the room/office.

6. Headaches and migraines

Dehydration due to AC can result in headaches and migraines. Dehydration is a common cause of dreaded migraines, but is often overlooked. Also, when going outdoors into the natural heat, from being in an AC environment, its possible to get an instant headache.

7. Lethargy and sluggishness

People who spend a lot of time in AC environments often complain of feeling lethargic and sluggish.

Check this out: Can air conditioning affect your health (WATCH)

Over and above these reasons to not have the AC blasting all day long, Hello! added that AC adds to the ambient noise (causing more noise pollution) and can transmit infectious respiratory diseases. Global News further explained that those dependent on AC become unable to deal with heat, which increases their health risks when a heat wave descends and they’re without AC.

Weight gain due to air conditioning

LIVESCIENCE explained that when your body is in an environment that is too much of a comfortable temperature, and constantly, it doesn’t have to work to cool itself down or warm up, this can result in weight gain. Working in a cool, artificially-lightened environment has also been shown to trick the brain into wanting to snack more often.

Read this: 13 foods that won’t make you put on weight

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How to reduce the health risks of AC

Jean Cotou shared this advice:

• Use AC with moderation.
• Avoid significant differences between indoor and outdoor temperatures. A maximum range of 8°C is advisable.
• Ensure that all AC systems are well maintained to reduce the risk of microbial contamination.
• Check for any stagnant water in the installations. If your system uses water, ensure that it is changed regularly.
• Read the air conditioning user’s manual and follow its instructions.
• Regularly replace or clean the filters.
• When possible, choose an air-conditioning system equipped with an air purification system.

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