No matter how healthy the rest of your body is, tired and sore eyes can make you feel below par.
Here is how to brighten your outlook:
Bloodshot eyes after a night of heavy drinking are a graphic
reminder that the body has been abused. In this case, the remedy is simple
enough –lay off drinking until you feel better.
If your eyes are occasionally puffy or sore, there are a few
the practical things you can do to relieve them. “Palming” is a good way of
soothing tired of sore eyes. Simply cup your closed eyes lightly in your hand
so that the palms test over the eyelids an all light is excluded for a minute
at least.
Obviously, though, if your eyes feel strained often you should
have them checked.
Blinking is the best way of keeping the eyes naturally
bathed in antiseptic fluid - the body’s own - but if your eyes are particularly
dry or uncomfortable and if your home or workplace is centrally heated, an
eyewash or eye drops can bring relief.
A small amount of salt added to boiled water makes a cheap
and simple wash for use with an eyebath. (Remember, though, if you have the
slightest trace of infection, to wash out the eyebath and replace the liquid
before bathing the second eye, and wash the eyebath again before putting is
away.)
Plain table salt in distilled water from the chemists is like the eyes’
natural fluid and is good used every few hours as drops. A generous pinch in a
glass of water is sufficient, and the liquid should be stored in a dark glass
bottle with a built-in dropper.
If you are going out after a day’s work and want a quick
pick-me-up, splash your eyes with cold water (this is to best thing for your
eyes first thing in the morning, too). Put a couple of drops of salt water or
eye-bright lotion from the health store in each eye and apply a compress. The
compress can be cotton wool soaked in witch hazel or cold herb tea, a slice of
cucumber, or else a cold teabag. Use herbal teabags, though, if you do this
often, because the skin may become discoloured otherwise. Then put your feet up
and relax for ten minutes in a darkened room.
Cucumber slices and tea bags are also good for combatting
puffiness, one of the most common eye complaints affecting the appearance. Both
are diuretics and work by drawing out excess fluid around the eyes – and they
actually are most effective as a temporary measure.
Dark circles under the eyes are another common trouble, and
not getting enough sleep really is the most probably cause. If this is your
problem, do not try to cover the dark circles with makeup - get enough sleep
instead.
It is important to remember though that puffiness and dark
circles can also be the sign of more serious medical problems, and attempting
to treat them with home remedies, however successful they may be for minor
short-term ailments, can simply mask important symptoms. If any eye troubles
persist, it is vital that you consult your doctor.
In this book I will endeavor to teach you the basics of appliqué and then for the more adventurous, I give step-by-step instructions to make a beautiful baby quilt.
