Holiday season is here and you are all warmed up for a Christmas movie marathon. But little do you think about the health of your eyes, which are one of the most important and vulnerable organs of the body, and thus require proper protection and maintenance to keep the eyesight intact. Listed below are some ways which will help you in keeping your vision intact after hours of binge-watching.
Pause and Blink Once In A While
Although it is hard to look away from the screen while your favorite character is in action, you really should be doing it for the sake of your eyesight. Do it occasionally, and remember to blink. This will help your eyes relax, even for a fraction of a second, but it is worth it.
Eat Carrots
Carrots are great for your eyes, thanks to the presence of beta-carotene and lutein, which helps prevent the risk of night blindness and cornea problems. You will be surprised to learn that binge-watching triggers binge-eating, and so instead of snacking on a big bag of chips, you can compensate for the strain you are putting your eyes under by consuming something which balances the negative effects. Apples, leafy greens and berries are great for your eyesight and you can munch on them while staring at the screen.
Take a Break
Watching TV or the computer screen is a sedentary task which not only slows down your metabolism but can also be damaging to the eyes. It is therefore important to take a five-minute break every twenty to thirty minutes. If you are on a computer, you can easily pause the screen and come back after taking a short stroll or exercising your eyes. Quick eye exercises include blinking, moving the eyes from side to side, up and down, diagonally and in circles. You can also try looking into darkness, and slowly massaging your eyes with your fingers.
Clean the Screen
Prior to starting a movie, make sure your screen is clean to reduce glare. Also ensure you sit an arm’s length away from your TV or laptop, and avoid looking at a tilted screen.
Invest In Protective Glasses
There are computer glasses designed specifically to minimize reflections of light emitting from the back and front surfaces of your lenses that can contribute to eye strain. They come with anti-reflective coatings which help safeguard your eyes. See if you can get protective glasses to keep your eyes safe.
Reduce the Brightness
Adjust your TV or computer’s screen settings to make sure the brightness is set to low to avoid eye strain.
Binge Mindfully
Before actually sitting down in front of the screen, plan in advance how many movies/episodes you want to watch. Do not go overboard here, and stick to the decided number.
Follow these tips to prevent eye problems, and visit your eye doctor without delay if you experience pain, irritation or other types of issues.
