Sun protection is nothing to joke about. In fact, when you’re busying yourself slathering on some SPF, slapping on a hat and slipping your feet into sandals, you should be looking to protect your eyes. Sliding up some shades is a great idea, as this is a vital part of your body that can often be left out when it comes to the sunshine checklist each day. So, here’s how to protect your eyes in the sunshine.
- Look cool when it comes to sun protection. Whether you are a fan of a hat or you’re a fan of sunglasses, you can channel your inner celebrity to protect your eyes! Sunglasses can really make all the difference when it comes to protecting your eyes. You can find clip on prescription sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays, not just dark-tinted ones. The darker lenses don’t mean better protection, FYI. You might find that prescription sunglasses are a little dearer, but that’s always worth it to protect your eyes from the UV rays. With clip-ons, you can avoid juggling multiple pairs of glasses around with you. You just clip them and go, which is so helpful in the car on a drive!
- Stick with the shade. When the sun is at its strongest, you should try to stick to being in the shade. This is usually between 10am and 4pm, so sit under the giant tree and break away from the glare. You don’t have to expose your eyes to hot weather and harsh sunlight and if you are smart about it, you can stay shaded. UV umbrellas are a great way to do this if you have no choice but to be out and aout, and this can reduce your UV exposure massively. It gives your eyes a break from the glare, and you can relax, sip something cold and feel like a winner when it comes to health.
- Embrace a hat. While we’re on the topic of protecting your eyes, don’t forget that hats have a dual purpose. They protect your head, too. The brim of a hat acts as a portable roof for your eyes and you can avoid looking at direct sunlight this way. Baseball caps and wide-brimmed caps are winners for this, and yet full protection is always better with something that has a wide brim. Your future self will thank you for it, and so will your optometrist.
- Keep them hydrated. Hot and sunny days are beautiful but they have the ability to dry your eyes out. If you’re in the wind or spending time at higher altitudes, you need lubricating eye drops. These will keep the scratchy sensation away and while you’re using drops for your eyes, don’t forget to drink water, too.
It’s not hard to protect your eyes from the sun – and now you know exactly how to do it you shouldn’t have any excuse when you’ve forgotten your sunglasses.
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This is a contributed post.
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