We all have a bad habit here or there that we need to break. But did you know that you have bad eye habits you need to break also? These bad eye habits could have created the eye condition that you have right now. Or you currently could be creating one as we speak. Here is a list of bad eye habits, that you should break right now, and how to do it.

1. Rubbing Your Eyes

Did you know the skin around your eyes is one of the most sensitive skin areas on your body? Rubbing your eyes can break tiny blood vessels under the skin’s surface which can cause puffy eyes, dark circles or droopy eyelids. Not to mention rubbing your eyes, can also cause pressure to build up in your eyes which leads to all sorts of eye conditions. If you feel your eyes are becoming tired and you need to rub them, gently tab on the skin all around your eyes with your pointer and middle finger.

2. Wearing Sunglasses

We’ve all heard people nag about putting on sunglasses, so the Sun’s UV Rays won’t damage your eyes, but in reality the sun is good for your eyes. Although looking directly at the mid-day sun might be a no-no, looking at the sunrise or sunset is not only a great way to relax you mind, you are also relaxing your eyes. All while working out your long-distance vision and catching some Vitamin D. So go watch the sunset tonight.

3. Not Drinking Enough Water

Are you drinking the recommended 8 glasses of water a day? It may seem like a lot, but it’s really necessary. Not drinking enough water and having a high-sodium diet, can cause your body to dehydrate. Your body (including your eyes) are made up of 70% water. If you become dehydrated, you are draining your eyes out of the moisture they need to create enough tears to stay healthy. Symptoms associated with dehydration in the eyes are redness, puffy eyelids and dryness. If you find it hard to get enough water throughout the day, try setting an hour timer at your desk, when the timer goes off, finish your water glass and refill it.

4. Sleeping Poorly

Your body needs sleep to recoup after a hard day’s work. Staying up late and getting up early doesn’t allow the time your body needs to get into a deep realm of sleep. Causing you to become achy and tired throughout the day. But it’s not just your body that shows you’re lacking sleep, your eyes are usually the first sign. Dark circles, eye twitching, blurry vision, dry and red eyes are signs you are not getting enough sleep. Try to aim for 6 – 8 hours of sleep each night. It’s best to make this a routine, so even on the weekends, aim for that 6 – 8 hours! The best part is your eyes are often the first to show you’ve had a good night sleep, giving you alert, glowing, bright eyes. So go get a good night’s sleep tonight and reap the benefits tomorrow!

5. Not Giving Your Eyes Time To Breathe

If you have astigmatism, are nearsighted or farsighted and wear glasses or contact lenses daily, give your eyes time to breathe. Don’t where your glasses all the time, take them off and do tasks that don’t require them, such as reading a book if you are sitting directly on your eye. Your eye needs oxygen to fight infection. If you wear contacts daily, you are at a greater risk of developing an eye infection or dry eyes, which can cause you to scratch your cornea due to the lens drying out. Always alternate between glasses and contacts, and take a break from both to really see the world from your own eyes.

6. Lying Down While Watching TV

When you watch movies or TV do you lie down on the couch? It may not seem like something that hurts your eyes, but lying down while watching TV, puts serious strain on your eyes. Your eyes aren’t level with the TV, they are viewing the TV at an angle, which causes your eyes to try to focus on the image while flipping it right side up. All the added strain is causing your vision to deteriorate. From now on, sit up on the couch while watching TV and while we are at it, sit at a good distance away from the TV screen.

7, Reading While Travelling

One of the worst things you can do for your eyes, is reading while in a moving vehicle. It may get boring sitting on that train or during a road trip, but it puts strain on your eyes. The unstable movement of the vehicle causes your eyes to keep adjusting. This can cause headaches, blurred vision, red and dry eyes. Next road trip try playing a car game with your friends!

8. Using Your Laptop To Watch TV

We all know about the latest trend of watching movies or videos on your laptop or tablets, but did you know that these devices are causing your eyes to deteriorate? Since you are watching the screen at such a close distance from your eyes, you are putting unnecessary strain on your eyes, and causing them to focus on a bright screen from inches away. In general staring at any computer screen for too long can cause headaches, eye fatigue, eye dryness and red eye. If you find it hard to get away from your computer, tablet or smartphone. Try the 20-20-20 trick. Every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away from your screen for 20 seconds. You’ll eventually notice your eyes feel less tired and strained during the day!

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(okadabooks.)