All eyes on New Year resolutions
All eyes on New Year resolutions
January has arrived, and here comes the long list of resolutions we try to make when we ring in the start of a New Year.
While many of us will set goals relating to our health, like improving our fitness, signing up for Dry January or losing weight, how many of us think about improving our eye health?
Did you know that it can take as little as 18 days to form a new habit? That’s just over half of January!
Below are our top tips for embracing change and improving eye health. Remember to start small for a better chance of success; by making a few changes to your daily eye care routine, you are more likely to fulfil your resolutions.
Post-Christmas diet
You’ve had a month of eating chocolate yule log for breakfast and a cheeseboard for dinner, and now it’s time to stand on the scales and assess the damage. In your only-eating-salad-for-a-month declarations, try easing the pain with minor changes to support optimal eye health and worry about the waistline later.
Oily fish like salmon, tuna and trout are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and essential for improving and sustaining healthy vision. Perfect for a light winter supper, pile your fish plate high with leafy greens (like kale and spinach), carrots and sweet potatoes. These vegetables contain the core vitamins needed to reduce eye infections and keep eyes healthy.
Set yourself up for the day by eating breakfast like a king. Swap out the sweet stuff, and crack open the eggs. The lutein and other nutrients in this versatile food are great for preventing dry eyes. Eat your eggs with a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice. The high in Vitamin C citrus fruit may reduce the risk of cataracts.
Post-holiday hygiene
You spent Christmas Day in your pyjamas and slept in your New Year’s Eve outfit, but January is a time to get back to basics and take care of yourself. Avoid those seasonal bugs that do the rounds at this time of year by making sure you are washing your hands before touching your face - especially your eyes.
It’s also important not to share face cloths or eye beauty products, and remove your contact lenses before heading to bed. Keep the external eye area clean and use lubricating eye drops if you are experiencing dry eyes.
Post-seasonal self-assembly
It isn’t uncommon for a New Year’s resolution to include ideas to redecorate, renovate or recycle as we all look to home improvement projects when the weather is dull and the social calendar empty. If you do have DIY plans up your sleeve, then protecting your eyes is very important.
Not only should you wear goggles if you are operating machinery or using tools, but you may also want to think about a blue light filter or brightening coatings for your spectacle lenses if you are indoors throughout the winter months, when days are short and we are reliant on artificial light sources. Being inside with the heating on can also make eyes feel dry and sore. Try not to rub your eyes, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and take regular breaks from your screen if you use a VDU.
We wish you the best of luck with your resolutions, but if you are concerned about your or a family member's vision, pop into one of our practices today and speak to our friendly team.