The new year has finally come, and people have started with their new year’s resolution. You can add to the list to adopt a healthy lifestyle to improve or maintain your vision while still having it. Take a look at how these common new year resolutions have benefits to help improve your vision.
6 New Year Resolutions to Include for Healthy Eyes
- Start a Healthy Diet
Diets go beyond the goal of losing weight or toning muscles. A well-balanced diet should be maintained primarily to live a healthier lifestyle. If your eyesight is something you want to maintain or improve, then the vitamins and minerals that you put in your body can help their performance. Include food rich in antioxidants, like Vitamins A and C, to help improve eye health.
Here are a few examples of healthy vision-boosting food:
- Fish – This type of protein is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which improves one’s eye oil film. Some studies suggest that it can aid in eye dryness caused by excessive computer use.
- Carrots – It has long been associated in popular media that carrots are good for your eyes. The truth is…they are! Carrots are rich in Vitamin A that contains a protein called rhodopsin, which aids light absorption in the retina.
- Citrus Fruits – These sour fruits contain Vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps age-related eye issues.
- Eggs – Whether sunnyside up or scrambled, eggs are a favorite breakfast option for many. But as it turns out, eggs are also packed with lutein, a carotenoid characterized as an aid in eye health, preventing vision impairment and blindness.
You can read more about these foods in our previous article here: Food that Can Improve Your Vision.
- Control Gadget Use
Being stuck at home most of the time means that you need to find things to do to keep you occupied. Binge-watching has been, of course, a favorite past time for most. Rely less on technology and the internet for leisure and entertainment this year. Keep gadget use limited to important matters such as work and communicating with friends. Alternatively, you can develop new healthy hobbies in replacement for these activities.
- Get Enough Sleep
Let 2021 be the year where you get enough hours of sleep as you should for someone of your age. Your eyes need all the rest it can get from a full day of activities. Other benefits of a good night’s rest obviously include a better and more productive workday the following morning.
- Quit Smoking
Smoking is a bad habit in itself when it comes to the many illnesses linked to this vice. However, many may not know that it also has a direct effect on one’s vision. Smoking tobacco or other substances exposes the eyes to oxidative stress, leading to redness and irritation. If you are an avid smoker, one more good reason to quit is to protect your eyes.
- Wash Hands Regularly
Hand washing has been a practice most advocated now more than ever since the COVID outbreak. Touching your face and rubbing your eyes is also something that has been advised against, though you may do it instinctively from time to time. Because of that, you need to make washing your hands a habit as well. Aside from the virus, keeping your hands clean regularly prevents conjunctivitis, which is an infection caused by an infection.
- Get Regular Exercise
Exercise provides more than just weight loss or toning benefits. This improves blood circulation and can prevent diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, affecting your vision.
Eye Care Tips to Take Note of throughout Year
- Always Protect Your Eyes
To avoid long-term vision defects, you must always take the initiative to take care of your eyes under any circumstance. If it’s bright and sunny outside, wear sunglasses to protect them from the sun’s harmful UV rays. When you’re sitting in front of a computer primarily for work, wear radiation-resistant glasses to help you during work. Ask your optometrist for this feature.
- Be Cautious with Contacts
If you wear contacts, always make sure to wash your hands before putting them on. This eye prevents infection that can be caused by dirt or dust. Know how to clean them properly and always replace them at the recommended date.
- Keep Your Family and Medical History in Mind
If you already have an existing condition, keep in mind what effects it can have on your vision and take every preventive measure possible. But if you currently have a healthy vision and no pre-existing condition, it is still important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of any medical complications that may run in your family.
- Have Regular Eye Checkups
The older you get, the more important it is to pay a regular visit to the doctor to check how things are going health-wise. As you get older, your vision may deteriorate after years of exposure to technology or even the rays of the sun. If you want to improve your eyesight, the best person to consult is your doctor, who can recommend some vision aids or lifestyle improvements. A regular visit also helps you monitor your vision’s progress or regression. Knowing these things will help you out in the long run.
If you’re in the state of Arizona, get your checkup by the Arizona Retinal Specialists. With years of experience in the field, our specialists can help you improve your vision through professional testing and proper consultation. An expert team of doctors with different specializations can help you or a loved one with any vision difficulties experienced. Contact us now to schedule an appointment with one of our experts.
