If you have a job in which its nature is to be on your computer or laptop most of the time, then you’ve definitely had your fair share of tired and strained eyes. Not only that, other factors like lack of sleep, crying, exposure to bright light, long hours of driving or reading could also cause you tired eyes. However, you no longer have to worry as Beauty Insider has curated an article on 11 eye-relaxing tips to relieve tired and strained eyes, just for you!

Use eye masks

Eye masks are essential when it comes to eye care, especially when you’re always grounded to your computer. The glares of the screen are enough to tire your eyes. Hence, religious use of eye masks helps relieve those tired and fatigued eyes.

In this case, one of Singapore’s local brands has its one-of-a-kind eye mask: Natureye Eye Mask that is infused with plant and herbs extracts. This all-natural eye mask is designed to relieve your tired eyes and reduce the puffiness of the eyes and have it looking completely rehydrated and refreshed after using it. What’s more, is, this eye mask is safe to be used by anyone, including children and pregnant women!

Price: $32.00

Where to buy: Amelq Holdings

For more enquiries: +65 93625768

Massage your eyes

When your eyes are really tired and fatigued, you can try relieving them by using your fingers to gently massage the eyelids, the muscles above the eyebrows, the under eyes and temples. This is because eye massages help increase blood circulation to the eyes and it also relaxes the muscles around your eyes. Not only that, but it also helps in stimulating the tear glands to prevent your eyes from drying.

Do eye exercises

Especially when you’re working on computers a lot, in order to reduce the risk of tiring your eyes, you have to look away from your computer every 20 minutes. One exercise you can do is to look far away at an object for 10-15 seconds then gaze at something up close for about 10-15 seconds, then look back at the distant object. Repeat this at least 10 times.

Another exercise is to trace an eight. This exercise will increase the flexibility of your eye muscles as well as improve your vision, apart from relieving your tired eyes. Visualize a gigantic 8 that is 10 feet away from you and tun it on its side. Now, sketch it with your eyes slowly for a few minutes. Then, repeat it anti-clockwise.

Get some sun

We don’t mean staring directly into the sun here. You can stand in front of a window or a place that receives sunlight. Close your eyes and allow the sunlight to warm your eyelids. If you’re someone who wears glasses or contact lenses, do it without using them. Why we say sun? It is because sunlight helps the retina of the eyes to release dopamine that helps in the healthy environment of the eys and prevents myopia in children.

Cool therapy

Use cold water or aloe vera. Cold water is said to be effective in improving blood circulation and relaxing strained eyes. Dip a soft and clean cloth into cold water and dab it on your eyes. This cold compress helps decreases the puffiness of the eyes.

If you opt to apply aloe vera, leave it in the refrigerator for a bit and later apply the cool gel onto the strained eyes or eyelids. Leave the gel on for about 10 minutes. This is because aloe vera has natural healing and soothing properties that will aid in decreasing the puffiness of the eys. Not only that, it also increases the blood circulation around your eyes.

Blink more often

When you blink, it moistens your eyes and it prevents your eyes from being dry and irritated. If you’re someone who always works on the computer you should consider blinking as often as 10 times in the span of 20 minutes by closing your eyes as if you’re falling asleep (very slowly). This helps rewet your eyes.

Why? Because the tears that coat the eyes evaporate more quickly during long non-blinking phases and this causes your eyes to dry out. Additionally, the air in many offices are dry, hence increasing how quickly your eyes evaporate.

20-20-20

To keep your eyes from getting tired, take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and focus on something that is located at least 20 feet away from you. This is a well known and recommended medium of relief for your tired and strained eyes. Not only that, but this also helps prevent eye strains and eye damage in the long run.

Have proper lighting

When you use a computer, your lighting should be half as bright as in a typical office. Eliminate exterior light by closing the drapes, shades or blinds. Use fewer light bulbs, fluorescent tubes or use lower intensity bulbs and tubes.

Also, positioning your computer screen so the windows are to the side instead of in front or behind it would also help prevent you from straining your eyes. Most people who usually strain their eyes, tend to work on computers a lot, hence you should try avoiding working under overhead fluorescent lights.

Minimise glares

The glares that come from light reflecting off the walls and finished surfaces and the reflections on your computer screen could also cause you tired and strained eyes. You should consider installing and anti-glaring screen on your display and if it is possible, paint the white balls a darker colour with matte finishes.

If you are someone who uses glasses, get lenses with anti-reflective (AR) coatings as it reduces glares by reducing the amount of light reflecting off the front and back surfaces of your glasses.

Adjust computer display

When it comes to adjusting computer display, start with the brightness. Adjust it to be the same brightness as your surrounding workplace. For example, look at the white background of this page, and if it looks like a light source, then you know it’s too bright. If it looks dull and grey, then it might be too dark.

Next, it’s the colour temperature. This is the spectrum of visible light that is emitted by a colour display. The blue light that is emitted causes eye strain than other wavelengths like orange and red. Hence, reducing the colour of your temperature will reduce the amount of blue light emitted, then reducing the strain.

Consider computer glasses

For much better comfort, while using the computer and preventing straining your eyes, you might want to get yourself eyeglasses. Consult an optometrist to create customized computer glasses. Also, if you always wear contact lenses, then you really need them as when you use contact lenses, your eyes can tend to get dry and uncomfortable.