In today’s time, technology seems to have overpowered man. Every task we perform is technology based. In the process of making our lives simpler and less complicated, we have made ourselves susceptible to many health issues without even realising it. One of them is damage to the eyes. Constant exposure to computer screens, mobile phones and television contributes to blurred eye vision, eye fatigue and various other problems. Other causes of eye damage include heavy drinking and smoking. What many are unaware of is that alcohol weakens the eye muscles and can cause permanent blurred vision. Smoking, on the other hand, can lead to dry eye syndrome and cataract.
Some beauty related eye troubles include dark circles, puffiness and swelling around the eyes which are commonly seen even in students. Dark circles are tough to get rid of and they tend to make one look tired, stressed, and old. It can be caused by sun exposure, stress, ageing, lack of sleep, allergies and even genetics. Dark circles and under eye bags can really hamper your confidence. Besides taking adequate rest and care of your eyes, it is also important to exercise on a daily basis as it aids in increasing the oxygen supply to the optic nerves and reduces the pressure on the eyes.
Here are several natural home remedies which can help bring your eyes some relief:
1. Coconut Eye Mask
Coconut oil is the most effective and beneficial when it comes to removing dark circles or heavy bags around the eyes. Simply massage a few drops of it under the eyes to get rid of dark circles. You may have to do this every day in order to achieve faster results.
2. Almond Eye Mask
Almond oil acts like a hydrator for the skin. It helps to fade away dark circles and minimise the appearance of crow-feet wrinkles. A combination of almond oil along with honey applied each night can prevent dark circles and eye bags.
3. Rose Water Eye Mask
This best works for tired eyes. A cotton pad drenched in pure rose water when placed upon the eyes for a period of 15 minutes induces a soothing effect and relaxes the eyes. It may also reduce eye puffiness.
4. Milk and Baking Soda Eye Mask
Milk can prove to be a boon for exhausted eyes. In order to prepare it, blend 4 tablespoons of fresh whole milk and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Blend well to achieve a smooth mixture of cream consistency. Place it in the refrigerator and apply the chilled mask around your eyes. Let it stay for 20-25 minutes and wash it off with cold water. Your eyes will feel revived and healthy in no time.
5. Tea Bags as Eye Masks
Tea bags such as green tea, black tea and various other herbal teas are a great remedy for dark and heavy eyes. Put some used tea bags in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes. Then damp the tea bags on your eyes for 10-15 minutes. This is one of the best home remedies to remove the swelling and darkness around your eyes.
6. Cucumber Eye Mask
It is the most commonly used soothing eye mask. Cucumber is well-known for its soothing and relaxing effect. Frequent application of this mask will make your eyes look completely re-energized and fresh. Grate the cucumber and let it chill in the refrigerator for half an hour, then spread it evenly around your eyes. After 30 minutes wash it off with cold water.
7. Pineapple Mask
Another effective home remedy for eye bags and dark circles can be prepared by using natural skincare ingredients like turmeric powder and pineapple juice. Mix these ingredients and apply the mask for 30 minutes under your eyes every day for two weeks. It is a simple mask but with most beneficial results.
You might also like to try: Yoga for Eyes: 5 Really Easy Exercises You Can do anytime
You might not feel the need to exercise your eyes because well, there aren't any immediate symptoms or signs of weak or tired eyes but if you want to guard yourself from hazy spots and blurry vision in the future, then we suggest you exercise them as often as possible. One of the best ways to do so it to try yoga exercises for eyes. Yoga for eyes is a certain type of eye workout that can be done at any given time of the day, all you need are a few minutes.There are six muscles that connect the eye to the eye socket and help them move side to side, up and down and all around. When you read, drive or watch something over an extended period of time, it drains your eye muscles of flexibility and tires them out. This condition is known as eye fatigue and is only worsened by smartphones and computer devices. While eye fatigue isn't a very serious condition, if it persists overtime it can be. The one way to help relieve the symptoms of eye fatigue (burning, itching and tiredness) is eye yoga. Why yoga you ask? Yoga is a form of exercise designed to work on your health and consciousness i.e your mind, body and soul. So all the exercises help not just your vision but also your brain, reinforcing the fact that everything is connected. Eye yoga can also relieve you from disorders related to defects in the eye muscles like myopia and hypermetropia.
Jane Rigney Battenberg writes in her book 'Eye Yoga: How You See is How You Think', "Since the eye muscles are eight times stronger than they need to be, they don't have to be strengthened so much as stretched, relaxed and fine-tuned. You will need to balance the eye stretching and strengthening exercises, where the eyes learn to work and see together, with the relaxing, loosening exercises, where you re-pattern your eyes and brain to relax and see."
We've put together five simple yoga exercises that that will help ease out overused muscles, reduce tension in the face and eyes and help your eyes focus.
1. Blink - Open your eyes wide and then quickly blink about 10 times. Now, close your eyes for about 20 seconds and repeat this exercise four more times. The human eye should blink about 25 times in one minute. However, many of us don't, especially when we're focusing on something on our computer or smartphone. This exercise helps your eye nourish itself, relaxes the eye muscles and prevent dry eyes.
2. Palming - If you've gone for yoga classes at any point in time you'll be familiar with this one. Rub your palms together till they feel warm. Then place them on your eyes and hold the position till your palm feels warm. Concentrate on something and relax. This exercise is another form of relaxation which is something your eyes could use, especially after a long day at work.
3. Sideways & Rotation - So now you want to stretch your eye muscles. Move your eyes slowly from side to side and then all the way around in a circle. If you find that difficult, then use your finger and move it in a circle, and let your eyes follow. Make sure your neck doesn't move and repeat both those exercises about 20 times.
4. Sarvangna Asanaor the shoulder stand - This exercise doesn't just help your eyes but your brain as well. Lie down on a mat and using your arms, life your body waist downwards in the air so that your legs are straight and toes point outwards. This pose stimulates blood circulation in brain and optic nerve. You can also lay on your back and life your legs upward, as high as you can go. This exercise increases blood circulation to the eyes, brain, ears and nose, thereby improving their functioning. This pose also helps you detoxify and maximise the performance of all the other organs.
5. Bhramari Pranayama - Also known as the humble bee breath, this exercise is really calming and can drown down the unnecessary noise in your head, making you feel relaxed with just a few breaths. Sit on the floor cross-legged or however you feel comfortable. Now place your fingers over your eyes horizontally. Exhale and when you inhale make a bee like buzzing sound. Make sure you apply very little pressure on the eyeball and keep your lips sealed.