Vision is one of the most important aspects of our human experience, yet one that we can often take for granted. Seeing the world around us, our loved ones and ourselves is one of the greatest gifts. So many of us don’t realize what goes into the process of seeing and what our eyes are doing to take in information. Our eyes are complex organs. They work hard by allowing us to adjust to different conditions and environments instantly.
Here are some simple facts about our eyes that might just blow your mind: Did you know that our eyes are made up of over 2 million working parts? The muscles that move our eyes are the fastest and strongest muscle in the body? And that our eyes process up to 36,000 pieces of information per hour? Without our eyes, we wouldn’t be able to learn nearly as much as we do, that is why it is so important that we protect them to the best of our ability!
In this blog post we’re going to share five ways you can support your vision and overall eye health! If you’re interested in learning more, keep on reading..
1. Eating enough vitamins and nutrients
When it comes to our mind and body working optimally, vitamins and nutrients play a key role. Vitamins and nutrients all work in unique ways to provide our body with different benefits. When it comes to our eye health, here are some of the most important vitamins and nutrients out there:
- Vitamin A: This vitamin is particularly important for maintaining good eye health. It is a component in the protein called rhodopsin, which allows us to see in dim lighting conditions. This vitamin also supports the cornea of the eye, which is the outermost layer. One of the primary ways of obtaining Vitamin A is through foods with a high amount of beta-carotene (the primary source of Vitamin A in the human diet). Foods with Vitamin A include sweet potato, carrots, squash, and peppers!
- Vitamin E: This vitamin is a powerful antioxidant that is so important for fighting off free radicals in the body. Free radicals lead to damage, and this can even happen within our eyes. Studies show that a high intake of Vitamin E can help prevent the development of cataracts! Some of the best Vitamin E-rich foods include almonds, peanuts, spinach, avocado, and olive oil.
2. Resting the eyes
We spend a lot of time staring at screens daily. In fact, a recent survey from Zippia found that the average American spends over 7 hours staring at a screen in a given day. This puts a strain on our eyes and can lead to short-term issues. In the short term, staring at a screen for too long can cause eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision. We don’t know the long-term effects of too much screen time, but limiting and preventing damage when possible is important. Some of the ways you can support your eyes while using screens include:
- Adjusting the brightness on your device to match the level of light.
- Keeping an arm’s length away from the computer screen
- Taking breaks from staring at the screen every 20 minutes by looking at something in the distance or getting up to get a glass of water.
3. Getting routine eye checkups
Regular eye examinations are important, and getting a checkup every 2-3 years if you’re between 20-40 and every 2 years if you’re between 40-65 years old is recommended. Eye exams help detect certain eye conditions, which can lead to sight loss, and they can even uncover other health issues. Problems and changes in eye health can be signs of other conditions such as lupus, MS, diabetes, high blood pressure, and more!
4. Wearing sunglasses
It might be tempting to go without sunglasses on a nice sunny day, but for long periods, the UV can actually cause some damage. A balance exists between sunlight being important for the eyes and too much of it potentially causing some damage. During peak hours of the sun in the afternoon, it is best to avoid looking directly at its gaze and opt for some sunglasses if you’re spending the day out. During the early morning and evening, as the sun is rising and setting, it is an incredible time to gaze into the sun and get some of the wonderful benefits.
5. Taking supplements
At NutraChamps, we advocate for taking supplements when filling in nutritional gaps within our diets and busy lifestyles. We know the importance of maintaining good eye health, so we created a supplement designed specifically for supporting and protecting the eyes! AREDS 2 Eye Health is NutraChamps’ premium eye blend, including lutein, zeaxanthin, and specific herbs and vitamins to support eye health. This supplement works to support long-term vision, defend against macular degeneration, reduce eye strain, and even protect from blue light harm!
Our eyeballs need the protection they can get to work to the best of their ability. As with any other part of our body, we need to protect and take care of ourselves by being mindful of our daily choices. From food, to mindset, environment, and relationships, all of these things make a big difference in how our minds and bodies function and feel their best.
