Now that December is here and all the festivities have begun, it’s truly beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Even though we can be busy at this time of year, it’s important to take care of your eyes as the bright lights and dark nights force them to work extra hard to work the way we want them to. Here are some top tips on how to keep your eyes in great condition this festive season.
Check Your Makeup Expiration Dates
With nights out and get-togethers able to (hopefully) happen this year, you might want to try some creative eye makeup looks that you’ve seen on Instagram or TikTok. But before you go putting that eyeliner on, make sure your makeup is in date.
Check on the back for a small jar icon with a number and the letter M next to it. This shows how long the product is good for once opened and is exposed to air, after the date the product won’t be as effective and can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can irritate and infect the skin, especially around the eye area.
So before you get started on that sparkly party look, make sure you have all the products you need – and always make sure they’re in date. And if in doubt, throw it out, just to make sure your eye doesn’t get infected. That would be a real way to dampen your festive mood.
Take Regular Breaks From Screens
Over Christmas and the festive period, we all spend a lot of time looking at our screens. Whether it’s the late night Christmas shopping or obsessing over your new phone, our eyes can go through a lot at this time of year.
Staring at your screen for long periods of time can cause eye strain, headaches and pain in your neck and back. If you do have a lot of screen time planned over Christmas and New Year, you should invest in some blue light glasses.
We asked Matt, owner of Arlo Wolf Eyewear, how blue light glasses really work.
Blue light glasses can help to protect your eyes from harmful blue light rays, often emitted from digital devices like laptops, tv screens and even mobile phones.
“We are now more than ever before exposed to excessive amounts of High Energy Visible light (HEV), often from our mobile phones and laptop screens. Blue light lenses are specially designed to reduce the amount of HEV that passes from these devices to our eyes, helping to keep your eyes healthy by reducing headaches and eye strain.”
Eating Healthy For Your Eyes
Like with our bodies, hair and skin, our eyes can be affected by what we eat. To take care of your eyes and keep them healthy over the colder months, you want to make the effort to include foods with omega-3 fats in them, such as oily fish, seeds and nuts. It’s also a good idea to consume foods high in vitamin C, such as fruits and vegetables.
Prevent Dry Eyes
Harsh winter winds can send a chill down your spine, but they can also have a dry effect on your eyes. Make sure to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the day. If your eyes get dry, buy some eye drops to stop them from feeling itchy or irritated, especially if you plan on spending a lot of time outside.
As much as we all like sitting cosy at night by the fire, warm fires can also cause your eyes to dry out. We recommend investing in a humidifier to prevent dry heat and retain some moisture in the air. Having a humidifier really can help to keep your eyes moist and lubricated throughout the chillier months.
Tired Eyes
With darker days and the longer nights sticking around for a little longer, our natural light is a little limited. Some tasks can be more difficult to carry out, like reading, writing out Christmas cards and wrapping presents when natural light is insufficient. To avoid eye strain, you need to make sure you are carrying out activities in well-lit areas.
With so much to do and enjoy over the festive season, you want to be making the most of your time. Following these simple tips will help you to take care of your eyes and keep them in top condition, so you can go out and have fun this winter.
