Vision and Stress
Normally, stress is an unpleasant and inevitable part of our life. For most people, work, relationships, financial status, and aging are great stressors.
Stress can also affect your health and well-being.
Stress can easily cause headaches, and excessive stress has much to do with weight gain, but did you know that stress can also be bad for your vision?
What effect does stress have on vision?
Yes. When your eyes are exposed to the sun for a long time, certain eye diseases may occur, among which the common ones are:
Eye strain
Dry eyes
Sensitivity to light
Blurry vision
Eye floaters
Tunnel vision
Eye twitching
When you feel stressed, your eyes may feel uncomfortable. It is the brain's natural response to stress. Biologically, we will respond to all threats: our brain will secrete adrenaline, our heart rate will increase, and we will go into a "fight or flight" mode. Unfortunately, your brain cannot distinguish between the threat of a predator and the existential threat of work deadline.
Therefore, stress can induce your brain to think that you will be attacked. Your muscles may become tense, causing twitching and discomfort around your eyes. Your pupils will expand (actually, the more light that enters your eyes, the more you can see potential threats), resulting in sensitivity to light.
Usually, the effects of stress are temporary and resolve on their own. However, if these symptoms persist or severely affect your daily life, you should make an appointment with an ophthalmologist for an eye examination.
Effective ways to relieve stress and protect vision
Stress can negatively affect all aspects of your health, not just your eyes. Now almost no way can completely avoid the stress in life. Luckily, you can relieve stress in many ways and deal with the effects of stress when it occurs.
Exercise
Exercise releases endorphins, which can be seen as the brain's natural painkiller. Exercise can provide you with better sleep and relieve your stress. Many people go to the gym when they are stressed, but you can get the same endorphins by brisk walking or short jogging.
Healthy Diet
A balanced diet can keep your eyes healthy and help you prevent permanent damage. You should try to drink enough water to keep your eyes moisturized and eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, which contain nutrients that are friendly to your eyes. At the same time, avoid unhealthy and eye-damaging foods.
Enough Sleep
Lack of sleep can make your eyes tired. Guarantee 8 hours of sleep and above every night. Insufficient sleep can cause many of the same symptoms as stress, such as dry eyes, weight gain, and headaches.
Less Workload
If you feel stressed for a long time, then you may need to adjust the amount of work you undertake. A vacation can also help you relax. For many people, the two suggestions are easier said than done. But remember that stress is bad for your health and may even shorten your lifespan. Therefore, if possible, try to make time for self-relaxation.
An Annual Eye Exam
Stress can have some adverse effects on your eyes, so you might better have an eye exam once a year to find the problem early if any. An eye exam will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of your overall eye health. In addition, getting an accurate prescription after the check means you can buy more affordable glasses online. Mojo's prescription glasses are custom-made for your eyes, and the cost is only a small part of what you pay in the clinic.