The holiday season is always busy and stressful. This year is no different as we try to navigate a restriction-filled world of COVID-19. The pressure can pile on, especially at home, at work and financially.
A recent study shows that prolonged mental distress may impact your vision health. Elevated cortisol levels can cause an imbalance in the autonomous nervous system and trigger the onset of vascular dysregulation, a known cause of glaucoma.
Tackling symptoms of anxiety is important, not only for the sake of your vision health but also to improve your overall health. Here are a few mental health tips to alleviate holiday stress this season:
There are a few ways to directly minimize the effect on your vision.
Practice Self-Care
Self-care looks different for everyone. It is the act of consciously engaging in activities that positively promote mental and physical health. Be kind to yourself. Often, we are our worst critics, and taking a moment to give ourselves credit for even the small things can help. How can you practice self-care in your own life?
Here is a list of activities to consider trying:
Try Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises are a powerful tool to help relax your mind and body if you integrate it into your day-to-day routine. There are many ways of doing them so try experimenting to find ones that really work for you. Breathe in through your nose, then out through your mouth. Feel that? Some tension might already be lifting.
Remember these tips when using breathing techniques to relax:
Stay Active
Exercise in any form can help release feel-good endorphins, distract from day-to-day stressors and improve your mood. Moving your body also works as an active form of meditation, as you will find that your mind is focusing on the movement of your body rather than thinking about your worries. Sometimes all it takes to feel better is cutting out the chatter in your head for a few minutes.
Eat a Healthy Diet
What you eat can help with stress reduction in several ways. Tension may contribute to an impact on blood pressure and blood flow, so combating these symptoms is important.
Manage Your Priorities
We all know that feeling when the to-do list seems like it will never end and the hours in your day are flying by faster than you can keep up with. Prioritize, delegate and assess urgency—these are three ways to begin managing your priorities at work and at home.
Relaxation
Relaxing your mind and body can assist in reducing tension and related symptoms. Here are a few methods to try at home:
We recommend inserting these tips into your lifestyle, as maintaining a healthy head-space year-round is beneficial to you overall health—including your eye health.
If you notice any difference in your vision health during a particularly stressful time in your life, try out some of our tips and reach out to book an appointment at one of our FYidoctors clinics. Remember to book a yearly eye exam to keep up with any changes that may be taking place with your vision.