WHAT IS DAILY EYE CARE?
We’ve all heard about the importance of prioritizing self-care, whether it be maintaining a semi-regular workout routine, or remembering to take a multivitamin every day. Keeping our skin fresh, our hair groomed, and our lifestyles healthy are all major parts of upkeeping our overall wellness. But still, we often neglect the things we use the most in daily life: our eyes. Our eyes are arguably the most overworked part of our bodies, from staring at screens all day, to exposure to air pollutants and unruly weather. With little to no protection, these soldiers take a lot of hits day in and day out. Sure, some of us wear glasses or contacts, and the others see the eye doctor maybe once every other year, but when you think about how overworked and undertreated the average person’s eyes are, you really start to wonder Am I doing enough for my eyes?
WHY IS EYE CARE IMPORTANT?
Your eye health is closely linked to pretty much everything you do. 80% of what you perceive is through sight, and healthy eyes are paramount in maintaining healthy brain function. Your optic nerve connects your eyes to your brain, making well-functioning eyes vital in improving and sustaining good quality of life. The things we have to do, like drive, walk, cook, communicate, and learn are all drastically dependent on our sense of sight. The things we love to do, like sports, watch movies, read, dance, and socialize are all drastically improved with quality sight. You always hear about preserving your muscles with stretches, rest, and exercise, and your eyes have muscles too! In order to function at full capacity, they need proper nutrition, avoidance of harmful conditions, and appropriate hygiene. So, to help you incorporate some eye care into your daily routine, we broke down some helpful daily tips for you to try out!
HOW CAN I TAKE CARE OF MY EYES?
Good eye health starts with good nutrition. You all have heard you drink milk for strong bones and you eat carrots for healthy eyes. What most people don’t know is leafy greens and foods high in omega-3 fatty acids are also beneficial to eye health. Kale, spinach, tuna, and salmon are all excellent options protect your eyes and overall health. Citrus fruits can actually help you combat age-related eye damage, and drinking enough water is great for lessening symptoms of dry eye. Along with good nutrition, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight are important to stop diseases like diabetes that can then lead to eye disease. Basically, your eye health is directly related to your body’s health, so give them the foods and exercise they need to perform at 100%.
Wearing sunglasses, hats, and avoiding excessive exposure to UV light protects your eyes from the sun, which can cause cataracts and macular degeneration. If you work a job where you spend most of the day staring at a screen, exercising the 20-20-20 rule is an awesome tool to use every day. This means that after starting at a screen for 20 minutes, you look at a spot about 20 feet in front of your desk for about 20 seconds to reduce eyestrain.
Aside from nutrition, exercise, and protection, proper eye hygiene is a part of eye health that often gets overlooked. Simple steps like washing your hands, taking off your makeup at night, and avoiding touching your eyes are all great ways to stop spreading and contracting various diseases and bacteria in your eyes. Something as minor as leaving your makeup on overnight can clog pores on your eyelids, causing bacteria buildup and swelling. We all rub our eyes throughout the day to stop that annoying itch or destress. However, this tiny habit can cause the transfer of harmful bacteria to your eyes. Products like Blephadex Wipes have a unique formula that soothes and treats the eye to stop the growth of demodex mites, cleanse, and alleviate symptoms of dry eye. They’re a must-have step in cleaning your eyes from current bacteria, while also removing makeup and protecting your eyes from future germ buildup. It is best to avoid touching your eyes whenever possible, but when you do, be sure to have clean hands, be gentle, and use Blephadex wipes daily.
WHEN SHOULD I PRACTICE GOOD EYE CARE?
Eye care is most beneficial when practiced routinely and as soon as possible. To prevent yourself from contracting eye diseases caused by external factors like sunlight, germs, and nutrition start implementing our helpful tips today. If you are already suffering from vision problems or eye disease, these habits can help combat symptoms and slow their progression. No matter where you are on the spectrum of eye health, exercising healthy eye habits is an easy and beneficial addition to your self-care routine.
