Self-care doesn’t always mean pampering yourself to rejuvenation. In fact, according to an article from Stylist, the term self-care finds its origins in institutionalised patients and the activities they were encouraged to do to preserve their physical independence. In other words, it’s not all about taking the day off—it’s also about putting in the effort to help your body function.
A vital part of your body, of course, is your eyes. Even though these organs serve you every day in reading, writing, and navigating the world, they often don’t receive the maintenance and attention they need. That makes caring for them a vital form of self-care. Try it yourself by following these tips to attain healthier eyesight.
Schedule regular eye exams
Your eyes are windows to your health. To be aware of the state of your eyes and how to care for them, ensure you get your eyes tested at frequent intervals. That’s why it’s crucial to get an eye exam at least every two years—so your optometrist can quickly spot eye conditions like glaucoma or even broader health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. From here, they can recommend the proper treatment as early as possible. You can also update your prescription if you wear glasses or contacts for vision correction.
Protect your eyes from the sun
Going outdoors on bright, sunny days can boost your mood and mental health and give your body the vitamin D it needs—but it also means exposing your eyes to the sun’s UV rays. In the long term, that could mean acquiring eye diseases like cataracts or macular degeneration. To enjoy the sunlight without worrying about your eyes, use sunglasses—and if you require glasses for vision correction, invest in prescription sunglasses that can block UV light. You can buy them online to take advantage of features like a wider variety of shapes, tints, and lens options, as well as discounts and free returns. Safeguard your eyes from the sun with the right protective eyewear.
Limit your screen time
At work and play, we are often surrounded by our gadgets—indeed, the average adult touches their phone screen at least 80 times per day. As we note in our article about improving work-life balance, a propensity towards the screen can induce headaches and trigger mental health issues—but it can also cause eye strain and fatigue. To avoid this, it’s best to limit your screen time as much as possible. Admittedly, this can be difficult, especially since we use our phones for many tasks. One method you could employ is to get analogue devices for your needs. For example, if you use your phone as an alarm, get an actual alarm clock. The important thing is that you regulate your gadget use as much as you can to take care of your eyes.
Nourish your eyes
A healthy diet plays a large part in procuring a healthy body—and your eyes are not exempt from that principle. Carrots are the oft-touted food that’s good for your vision, and considering that they’re rich in vitamin A, this orange vegetable should definitely have a place in your diet. Make sure you also eat leafy greens like spinach and kale, which have eye-boosting antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, and fish like salmon, which has omega-3 fatty acid that helps preserve vision and ease inflamed eyelids. If you feel like your eyes need an extra boost, you can also leverage eye supplements like AREDS2, which contains essential nutrients for your eyes, like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and zinc.
Your eyes are important and require the same maintenance and attention the rest of your body needs. If you want to start practising self-care for physical well-being and want to start with your eyes, try the tips above.
Join the discussion!