In this “new normal”, many of us are spending so much more time looking at screens. While being able to go online is invaluable and there are many benefits, there is one area that it is full of cons for, and that is our eyes. Excess screen time can cause eye muscles to strain and increased eye dryness. In Traditional Asian Medicine, the eyes are related to the energy of the liver, which is also taking a hit at this time from many of us living more sedentary lives with less exercise and more stress. Try these 3 tips to show some love to your eyes and help them preventively:
- Stay hydrated. Being properly hydrated can help to reduce eye dryness, which can result from decreased blinking associated with excess screen time. To stay properly hydrated, drink half of your body’s weight of water in room temperature fluid ounces spread out through out the day. For example to calculate how much water is recommended for someone who weighs 140lbs: Take their weight 140lbs divide by 2 to get half which is 70 ounces. They should drink 70 ounces of water throughout the day.
- Eat for eye health. Regularly consume foods rich in beta carotene like sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash and leafy greens like kale and spinach. Eat a smallish handful of goji berries daily either in shakes or trail mix (Order high quality goji berries here). If you eat fish, add in a high quality fish oil or have wild salmon and or sardines regularly.
- Be conscious with your screen time. Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. If you are sitting, get up at least every 45 minutes and do some exercise. Try to not look at any screens 1-2 hours before bed. If you must do so, use amber glasses to help improve the quality of your sleep.
Stay current with regular visits with your trusted optometrist and contact them with any concerns.
Take good care and love being a woman,
Dr. Danett
