Natural Ways to Help Your Eyes
Here are some natural ways to help improve overall eye health. Most of them not only help with your eyes but with your overall health as well.
1. Sleep for at least 8 hours a day.
Getting enough sleep is one of the most important things you can do to help improve your vision. Adequate sleep helps reduce eye strain and gives your eyes the rest they need. Try getting at least 8 hours of sleep every night, making sure your bedroom is dark and quiet for optimal rest quality.
2. Exercise regularly.
Regular exercise is essential for overall health and wellness, and this includes your vision health. Exercise helps promote better circulation throughout your body, bringing in more oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to your eye muscles. It also helps reduce stress and fatigue.
3. Eat a healthy diet.
Intake of foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants is key to maintaining good vision. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish like salmon are encouraged. Keep your eyes hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
4. Use eye drops.
Using over-the-counter eye drops to lubricate your eyes. This helps reduce any discomfort or redness associated with dry eyes, which can further worsen vision problems. Make sure you consult your optometrist first before adding any eye drops to your vision care regimen.
5. Visit your optometrist for regular eye tests.
Regular eye tests are essential to check if you may have developed an eye condition (for example, a refractive error) and take steps to prevent it from getting worse. Your optometrist will be able to check your visual acuity and determine if there are any changes in your eyesight. This can help you determine if any treatment or lifestyle changes need to be made to help preserve good vision.
6. Wear sunglasses and a hat when outdoors.
Preserve vision health and prevent further damages from occuring by wearing sun-protective gear. When outdoors, even on cloudy days, wear sunglasses and make sure that they are approved by Australian standards to block out 100% harmful UV rays that could damage your eyes. Wear a wide-brimmed hat when spending extended periods outdoors.
7. Try vision therapy.
Vision therapy is a type of physical therapy used to improve visual skills such as eye teaming, tracking, focusing, and convergence. It helps strengthen eye muscles and can even help reduce the effects of myopia. Vision therapy has been found to improve both visual comfort and performance in patients who have tried it.
8. Take regular breaks from technology
If you spend long hours in front of screens such as computers and smartphones, this can cause strain on your eyes and worsen existing vision problems. Make sure to take regular breaks from technology every 20 minutes or so to give your eyes some rest.
9. Limit caffeine and alcohol intake.
Caffeine and alcohol can both hurt your vision health. Caffeine can cause dehydration while alcohol reduces oxygen flow to the eyes, leading to further deterioration of sight. Help preserve your vision health by limiting your intake of these substances as much as possible.
10. Try some simple eye exercises.
Strengthen your eye muscles and improve focus with simple exercises. You can focus on a close object then a distant one, or roll your eyes in circles. You can also try palming, which involves closing your eyes and cupping them with your hands for several minutes at a time.
