Have you ever felt so much stress in your eyes that you wish you could just place a block of ice on them? That’s what happens when your eyes have worked for so long without rest – pretty unfair if you ask me.
Tired eyes are a common problem for many people, especially those who spend a lot of time looking at screens, reading, or working in dry or dusty environments. It can cause symptoms such as itching, burning, redness, dryness, blurred vision, and headaches.
Everyone has had to deal with tired eyes at one point or another, but not so many understand what causes this condition, or how they can help themselves feel better.
Fortunately, there are some simple and effective ways to relieve tired eyes and make them look and feel more refreshed. In this article, I’ll share some of them with you.
But before we go into that, let’s see some of the causes of tired eyes.
Why Do You feel So Much Stress In your Eyes?
There are several reasons why you could have tired eyes or eye fatigue. But most of these reasons, if not all, involve intensely focusing your eyes during a task.
That is, engaging in activities that require you to keep your eyes open for a long time, such as driving, using a computer or cell phone, reading, playing video games, or doing detailed work, such as writing, sewing or crafting.
Tired eyes could also result from not having enough light while performing a task or, in some cases, not blinking enough.
So basically, this condition can happen to anyone, especially people who do jobs that require a significant amount of screen time, or people who are constantly exposed to excess lighting either from the sun, or other light sources.
People with prior eye conditions, like uncorrected vision or eye muscle imbalance, are also at greater risk of eye fatigue or stress.
Moving on…
Now that we know the causes of tired eyes or eye fatigue, let’s see how you can minimize its occurrence..
How to Relieve Tired Eyes
There are several ways to relieve tired eyes, and you can easily do this without seeking medical attention. You can also relieve tired eyes using items from your home.
Let’s see a few examples.
Use a warm or cool compress
When you feel tension in your eyes, it’s probably because you’ve overworked the muscles. A warm compress can relax your eye muscles and increase blood circulation, while a cool compress can reduce swelling and inflammation.
To do this, use a clean washcloth soaked in warm or cool water or a sock filled with rice that you heat in the microwave or chill in the fridge. Place the compress over your closed eyes for 10 to 15 minutes, and repeat as needed.
Use artificial tears or eye drops
Sometimes, tired eyes are caused by dryness, which can make them feel irritated and scratchy. Therefore, artificial tears or eye drops can lubricate your eyes and restore moisture.
You can easily buy these eye drops over the counter at any pharmacy or ask your eye doctor for a recommendation. But be sure to use them as directed on the label or as directed by the physician. Also, avoid rubbing your eyes after using the eye drops.
Blink more often
It’s funny how blinking is such an underrated physical activity when it’s beneficial and protective.
Blinking is a natural way to keep your eyes moist and clear of dust and debris. However, when you stare at a screen or a book for a long time, you tend to blink less, making your eyes dry and tired.
To prevent this, try blinking more frequently, especially when using a digital device. You can also follow the 20-20-20 rule of blinking – it’s simple and easy to do.
And this is it; every 20 minutes, look away from your screen and focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. What happens is that this will give your eyes a break and reduce eye strain.
Drink More Water
I can’t stress this enough, but hydration is everything!
Dehydration can negatively affect your whole body, including your eyes, and when you don’t drink enough water, you may notice that your eyes become dull, dry, and puffy.
To avoid this, drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, or more, if you exercise or sweat a lot. This is important because water will help flush out toxins and keep your eyes hydrated and bright.
Don’t Sleep on the Sleep
Sleep is essential for your health and well-being; your eyes are no exception. When you sleep, your eyes rest and replenish their moisture and nutrients. On the other hand, lack of sleep can cause your eyes to become red, swollen, and dark.
To prevent this, aim for at least 7 hours of quality sleep every night, and avoid using your phone or computer before bed. You can also elevate your head with a pillow when sleeping to reduce fluid retention around your eyes.
One last thing….
As much as you care for every other part of your body, remember to take good care of your eyes. If possible, limit your screen time – experts recommend not spending more than 2 hours of screen time outside of work.
While this may be difficult, you can spend more time on physical activities or reading a book. Find something to distract you from your phone or laptop.
And remember to see your eye doctor regularly for check-ups and advice.
