Do you wake up with puffy eyes and persistent dark circles? Do you feel like your eyes get exhausted easily from extended screen time? There is no need to look any further for instant relief―DIY eye masks are here to the rescue. Not only are they easy to make, but you’ll be amazed at how incredibly soothing and reviving the right ingredients can be on your delicate eye area. Read on to discover the best DIY recipes for refreshed and revitalized eyes.
1. Natural Solutions for Tired Eyes
There are plenty of natural remedies for tired eyes, from what you eat to how you sleep and what you put on your skin. Here are some remedies you can use to soothe tired eyes.
- Eat eye-healthy foods – Eating a diet rich in vitamins and minerals is key for keeping the eyes healthy and reducing fatigue. Dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale, as well as high-quality proteins, can help you keep your eyes in good condition. Additionally, ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin A can be beneficial for eye health.
- Get enough sleep and hydrate – Make sure to get enough rest and drink plenty of fluids, as both of these are essential for giving your eyes the nourishment they need. Try to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night and drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day.
- Apply cool compresses – One of the most simple and effective ways to soothe tired eyes is to apply a cool compress. You can use a wet cloth, a damp tea bag, or your fingertip to apply cool pressure on the lids. Doing this several times a day can help reduce inflammation and irritation in the eyes.
If you are still having issues with eye fatigue, then consider making some adjustments to your lifestyle as well. Take breaks when looking at screens, make sure your eyes are properly lubricated, reduce blue light exposure and avoid direct sunlight. All of these tweaks can help you keep tired eyes at bay!
Finally, it is important to remember that if your eye fatigue is due to an underlying condition such as dry eye syndrome or glaucoma, then it is important to speak to an eye care professional as soon as possible. By following these tips and consulting a doctor, you can have healthy, rested eyes in no time!
2. Harness the Power of DIY Eye Masks
While your last outing shopping for beauty products may have yielded some nifty items, you don’t need to go beyond your own kitchen to find ingredients to put together DIY spa-like treatments are right under your nose. Specifically, eye masks.
Eye masks are great skincare tool to combat puffiness and wrinkles. You can make a mask using things you likely already have on hand, such as fruits, vegetables and other common household items.
- For soothing properties, mash up a cucumber and and spread blend around your eye area.
- Go for the anti-inflammatory with a bag of tea – green or black work well – that can be placed under your eyes with the help of a couple of spoons.
- The hydrating route can be achieved with one-part honey and two-parts oats for a yummy solution.
- Add a dash of antioxidant benefits with mashed up blueberries.
Mix and match ingredients to your heart’s content to create a custom eye mask that will be tailored to your skin needs. You can even find recipes online for more inspiration and ideas.
Allow your mask to set for 10-20 minutes while you relax, then rinse away with cool water for fresh-looking, relaxed eyes. There is a reason that self-care has become a popular trend – it’s because it works! Go forth and enjoy a pampering session with a DIY eye mask. You won’t regret it!
3. Nourishing Recipes for Rejuvenated Eyes
It can be quite tricky to both nourish and rejuvenate the sensitive area known as “the eyes”. Adequate sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and regular eye exams are all important, but adding certain dishes to your weekly meal rotation can help fortify your eye health in favor of a brighter future. Here are a few nourishing recipes that promote rejuvenated eyes.
Navajo Fry Bread
Navajo Fry Bread is a traditional bread found in the Southwestern United States, and also makes for an excellent eye health boosting snack. Here’s what you need to make it:
- 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, plus additional for kneading
- 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- ¾ cup of warm water
To make the fry bread:
- Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl
- Add the vegetable oil and warm water to the bowl
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for around 5 minutes, then cover with a cloth
- Refrigerate the dough for 15 minutes, then cut the dough into 6 equal pieces
- Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten it into a disc and place on a lightly floured surface
- Fry each disc in hot oil on both sides until golden brown
- Enjoy the Navajo Fry Bread!
This traditional Native American bread is packed with helpful vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin C, which are essential for healthy eyes. The zinc and antioxidants in the bread also support the immune system and defenses against free radicals, making this a perfect snack to have several times a week.
Vitamix Butternut Squash Soup
This creamy and comforting soup recipe will not only help soothe your eyes, but it’ll also nourish your body as well. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons of ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons of ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 1 can of coconut milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
To make the soup with a Vitamix blender:
- Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil
- Add the onion and garlic to the pot, cook for around 5 minutes until softened
- Add the cumin, coriander, and cayenne pepper to the pot, and cook for an additional 2 minutes
- Add the butternut squash, chicken broth, and coconut milk to the pot, and bring to a low simmer
- Simmer the soup for 15 minutes, or until the squash is tender
- Transfer the soup to a Vitamix blender, and blend until creamy and smooth
- Season with salt and pepper, and enjoy!
Butternut squash is full of Vitamin A, which is vital for eye health. This pumpkin-like veggie isn’t only chock full of beta carotene, but it also contains zeaxanthin and lutein as well. The fatty acids in the coconut milk adds an additional flavor boost, and lend more Magnesium and Vitamin E which both promote rejuvinated eye health.
Sardines on Toast
Higher in Omega 3s than any other fish, sardines are an excellent food to incorporate into your daily diet. Not only are they full of healthy fats that promote healthy eyes, they also contain a great deal of Vitamin D, which promotes healthy vision. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- 2 pieces of whole-wheat toast
- 4 canned sardines
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons of chopped parsley
- A pinch of ground black pepper
To make the sardines on toast:
- Mix the olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, and black pepper together in a bowl
- Drain the sardines, then put them in a bowl and break them up
- Add the olive oil mix to the bowl, and stir
- Toast the bread, then spread the sardine mixture on the toast
- Enjoy the sardines on toast!
The Omega 3s in the sardine mixture can help reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of macular degeneration. It’s a super easy grab-and-go snack, and goes a long way in helping retain healthy eyes.
4. Retreat to Recharge with Refreshing Eye Masks
At the end of a long day, it’s time to unwind. What better way to relax than a refreshing eye mask to put your body and mind in the right place? Whether it’s the warm compress of a gel pack, the cooling sensation of a cloth-based eye mask, or the aromatherapeutic benefits of an herbal one, there are many ways to recharge with eye masks.
Gel Packs
- Snuggle up with a warm gel mask for an extra dose of comfort and relaxation
- Gel packs provide continuous warmth without the need to reheat or freeze
- Choose between herbal-infused gel masks for an even more relaxing experience
Cloth-Based Eye Masks
- Cloth masks are a chilling alternative to the warm sensation of gel packs
- Their cooling touch can help relieve sinus and migraine discomfort and reduce puffiness of the eyes
- Many cloth eye masks come in fabrics known for their breathability, such as silk
Herbal Eye Masks
- Aromatherapy eye pads can help release fresh, natural scents to improve relaxation
- Herbal eye masks are often created with fragrant flax seeds which are known to provide calming effects
- Reap the benefits of lavender, peppermint, and chamomile essential oils when using an herbal eye mask
High-quality eye masks can provide an incredibly calming and rejuvenating experience. Choose the right mask for your needs and find time to recharging your mind and body.
Why not take some time and pamper yourself with one of these DIY eye masks? Whether you’re in need of a bit of a refresher or feeling a bit under the weather, these recipes are sure to soothe and refresh your tired eyes. Treat yourself and your loved ones with a bit of DIY eye mask love today and find yourself with bright and sparkling eyes tomorrow!
