Many of us work in front of a computer, we go home and we watch TV and are constantly checking our cell phones, playing games, and updating our status on social media. According to the New York Times, “on average, American adults are watching five hours and four minutes of television per day” and this number is quite alarming. Not only is it taking time away from outdoor activities and time spent with our families, but it can also affect our health, for example, our eyes. This can lead to eye strain and the simple thing to do is to limit the amount of time on screen, but there are also other things that you can do to take better care of your eyes.
Fennel: this is a very simple way to create your own natural eye drops. Add a half spoon of fennel in water and boil it, then let it cool and strain it. Once you have the liquid ready, put 2-3 drops in each eye and let it rehydrate and calm your eyes for 10 minutes.
Vitamin A, C, and Beta-carotene: just as the rest of our organs, the best way to keep them healthy is taking care of them from the inside out. Make sure you have your daily dose of these vitamins if you want to ensure your eyes work to the best of their ability! Make yourself an orange and carrot juice every morning, it will give you a boost of these vitamins!
Rest: Yes, your eyes need to rest. From the first minute you wake up in the morning until you go back to bed at night, your eyes are working non-stop all day. If you spend long periods of time in front of a screen–mobile phones included, try to rest your eyes for a few minutes as much as possible and away from a screen. You can also take a little nap during the day.
UV filters: Everyone is becoming conscious about their skin and all the damage it can suffer from the sun, but your eyes suffer too. Even if you just go for a walk it is recommended to put sunscreen on but don’t forget to wear sunglasses as well. Try to invest in some good sunglasses with UV filter to keep you both cool and protect your eyes.
Honey: honey is well-known for being a multi purpose remedy. One of its uses is as a natural lubricant for the eyes. Put a little drop of honey in each eye and try to keep them closed for 10 minutes. You can also try rubbing your eyes soft and gently to spread it.
Cold water: if you are at the office and you don’t have too much time or ingredients to fight your eye strain, apply very cold water on them and try not to look at the computer for at least 5 minutes. Cold water helps activate the blood flow and this will help reduce the strain in your eyes. Plus, it will make you feel more awake.
Castor oil: in general, essential oils are full of benefits for our bodies and are a natural source of remedies for when you have a problem. In this particular case, castor oil is perfect for your eyes and it works exactly as honey does. You just have to put a drop in each eye and leave it for a few minutes. You can rinse your eyes afterward.