Monday, August 4, 2008

Part 3 of 3: Eyes & The Three Bads -- Puffiness

Puffy eyes, what do you do? I didn't know since I am lucky enough to not have all three eye issues -- I have just dark circle and winkles. So I had to do some research and ask my friends. Here is what I discovered.

Most of my friends reported that they experienced puffy eyes in the morning and usually after a night of drinking and then not sleeping well. It also happens that if you drink too much soda or have an overload of sodium in food and drink that causes water retention, you may experience puffiness. Other causes include stress, allergies and crying.

Let's talk a little more about the morning puffiness. As you know, I say over and over again to sleep on your back to avoid wrinkles. Well now, it appears that sleeping on your back and with your head slightly elevated will also help prevent puffiness. It seems that fluids are easily stored under our eyes when we sleep on our stomach -- and during the night the fluids in our body go to the head. So if you have puffy eyes every day, try this and you may find that after one or two nights of back sleeping on a pillow will help reduce or eliminate the puff.

Now remember, we are talking about "puffiness" here, not "bags" -- which will be the topic of a different entry sometime soon.

In the meanwhile, if you are just trying to reduce the puffiness of your eyes, here's some things that will help:
  • It's true, cold cucumbers, cold gel packs and cold tea bags placed over your eyelids for 5 minutes does work!
  • Or trying washing your face with very cold water or try adding ice to your water to make it even colder.
  • Take it easy on both drinking and sodium intake.
  • For allergies and puffy eyes, talk with your doctor
  • And as odd as it sounds, drink water (to cleanse your system of the sodium!)

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