by Brandi Powell

Created on: February 21, 2009

Blink..blink..blink. Just like a broken traffic light. You can't stop the opening and closing of those tired eyes. However, there are some easy ways to get a grip on things. Almost in the blink of an eye.

Bad night, bad morning -

After a late night disagreement with my husband, my eyes are shot! I drag myself out of bed the next morning and land in front of the freezer. The best tool to soothe my sore peepers is an ice pack. An inexpensive, gel style pack is a great solution for reducing swelling and relieving pain. I use it a couple of times throughout the day, giving me the much needed relief until I can get more shut-eye. Use caution by keeping a thin barrier between the pack and you with a bit of fabric. Remember, the "eye-dea" is to reduce swelling, not create aggravation.

Tea time -

Consistently I have heard that tea is great in gaining the respite you seek for tired eyes. Whether its black tea, green tea, or chamomile, each one seems to work well. The process involves brewing the tea bags, allowing them to cool, and then finally using them as compresses. Sit down and let those leaves work their magic for 20-30 minutes. Repeat, if necessary, several times throughout the day. I have not personally tried this method. However, this is a practice that gets rave reviews.

Random act of pollution -

Whenever I travel to Los Angeles I know two things. One, I'm going to have a really great weekend. And two, my eyes won't. Pollution becomes a terrible irritant to our eyes and its worse in some places more than others. The irritating pollutants recreate the tired-eye pain easily. To alleviate some of the discomfort, I use a standard eye solution found at any drug store. There are many different kinds and it's up to you to decide which one best fits your needs. These are helpful, especially when traveling, for a quick fix. Whether they're tired or irritated, when your eyes hurt...they hurt.

The bottom line, in keeping your windows to your soul happy, shows itself with calming conversations before bed, adequate sleep, and some TLC when you're on the go. But, if that doesn't happen, know there are ways to fight off the "morning after" regrets of the eye. Simple techniques that meet the desired result.

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