Bright eyes with home remedies

Keep the windows to your soul bright and clear by taking care of yourself and getting enough good quality sleep. Puffy eyes and dark circles are often a clue that you have been burning the candle at both ends. First thing in the morning, or after shedding a few tears, it is normal to be a bit puffy around the peepers, but there are a few tried and true natural remedies to help if it becomes a regular occurrence.

Puffiness and dark circles are commonly caused by swelling, or fluid retention. (As with all physical ailments, if you feel that your eye puffiness is unusual or worrisome, check with your doctor.)

Salty tears

If you have been crying or have had a very salty meal, your eyes will tell the tale. Try drinking several glasses of water to flush the excess salt from your system and help to reduce the puffiness. Crying can sometimes be a fact of life, but excess salt intake needn’t be. Reduce gratuitous amount of salt from your diet – your heart and blood pressure will thank you for it as well!

Limit caffeine and alcohol

Both caffeine and alcohol will leave your skin dehydrated, so if you think you are retaining fluid from salt intake, try a more natural diuretic remedy to reduce the fluid buildup. Eat cabbage or drink cranberry juice; both are gentle diuretics.

Open the fridge

Apply cucumber slices or cold wet teabags to your eyes for a few minutes – both contain a compound that will reduce swelling, and the cold is also soothing and will reduce inflammation. Other remedies in your fridge include cold grated potato, sliced strawberries and honey – all of these (individually) applied to the eye area can help reduce puffiness and dark circles.

You could also chill a couple of teaspoons in the fridge then apply them gently to your eyes – the cold is very soothing and will reduce inflammation.

Fresh air

Exercise will increase your circulation and help your body eliminate excess fluid that may be storing around the eyes. Exercise will also help you naturally improve your mood, if crying is one of the causes of puffiness.

Get enough good quality sleep

Your eyes need rest. Spend less time in front of screens and more time at rest. If sleep is elusive, turn off all electronic stimulation for at least an hour before bedtime. Reduce your caffeine intake (even the humble cup of tea contains caffeine) in the hours leading up to bedtime and make sure you feel happy and relaxed going to bed.

Nourish yourself well

Make sure you are eating plenty to fresh fruit and vegetables – your skin and eyes are the first things to register a dietary gap.