By – Yemisi Suleiman
Your eyes are the most noticeable feature of your face. If your eyes are red, dry, scratchy, or irritated, they are less likely to have a natural sparkle. That is why, taking good care of your eyes is essential if you want to keep them looking bright and healthy. It’s not just the inside of your eyes that matter. The skin around your eyes is important too. If you have dark circles under your eyes or puffy, swollen skin, your eyes will likely look tired, smaller, and less healthy.
Fortunately, there are many home remedies you can try to boost the health of your eyes, and keep them beautiful too.
Here are eight easy ways to help keep your eyes looking as beautiful and healthy as possible.
Put green tea bags on your eyelids
If your eyes are puffy, swollen, or irritated, placing green tea bags on your eyelids may help reduce swelling and ease discomfort. The best way to use green tea on your eyes is to first steep the tea bags in some water. Then, let the tea bags cool completely, or even better; put them in the fridge for about 15 minutes. Once the tea bags are cool, lie down, close your eyes, and place them on your eyelids for 10 minutes.
Up your intake of omega fatty acids
To keep your eyes well-hydrated and healthy, experts recommend you try to increase your intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Good sources of omega-fatty acids include salmon, mackerel, sardines, and walnuts.
Use cucumbers to avoid puffiness
To use, cut two cucumber slices about a half-inch thick. Lie down, and apply a slice to each eyelid for 15 minutes to help refresh your eyes and skin. Cucumber juice contains powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as vitamin C, which can soothe tired skin and eyes.
Try an eye massage
A simple massage around your eyes can help improve and boost circulation. This can ease inflammation and also reduce the appearance of dark circles under your eyes. Simple facial exercises and massages done with your fingers, such as pushing the eyebrows up and closing the eyes, can help keep the region around your eyes pretty toned as well, preventing the occurrence of fine lines and wrinkles.
Drink plenty of water
Staying hydrated is an important part of your overall health, but it’s particularly important for your eyes and skin. Try to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day to ensure your body has enough moisture to keep your eyes lubricated and hydrated.
Get good quality sleep
If you are not getting adequate sleep, sooner or later your eyes will likely show signs of fatigue and sleep deprivation. Aim to get to bed early enough to allow yourself to get a minimum of 7 to 9 hours of sleep.
Protect your eyes from the sun
Protecting your eyes from the sun can help prevent dry eyes, and it may also reduce your risk of sunburn on the sensitive skin under your eyes. To protect your eyes, consider wearing wraparound sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection when you’re exposed to direct sunlight.
Take eye breaks
If your job requires visual concentration, like reading or looking at a computer screen, take eye breaks at least once every 20 minutes. Visually focusing on one area for too long can cause your eyes to become dry, tired, or irritated. To give your eyes a break, try closing your eyes for a few minutes. Or blink quickly for a few seconds to help spread your eye’s natural tears evenly over the surface of your eyes.