15 Home Remedies for Tired Eyes

two people close to each other closeup of eyes caption remedies for tired eyes

Nearly all of us, at one time or another, have burned the candle at both ends or simply exhausted ourselves and our eyes from overwork. You can get some relief using any one or several of our 15 home remedies for tired eyes. However, keep in mind that these are not all-inclusive cures. Chronic tired eyes can be an indicator of more serious eye health issues and you should consult an eye-care professional for proper advice and treatment.

What Causes Tired Eyes

There may be many reasons why someone would suffer from tired looking eyes. For some people, it is due to a lifestyle choice. For others, it can be a symptom of an underlying disease. Here are some of the common reasons why someone might have to deal with tired eyes. 

Not enough sleep 

The most obvious reason for tired eyes is not getting enough sleep. If you do not get enough sleep, one of the first indicators will be your eyes. Not only can your eyes appear unsightly thanks to the dark circles under them, but you may also encounter stinging, burning, or redness around your eyes. 

If you know that your tired eyes are a result of a lack of sleep, then one of the best ways you can deal with it by, well, getting enough rest. 

Malnutrition

If you are not eating the proper foods or are not getting the right vitamins in your diet, then your eyes will often be the first symptom. Not getting the needed nutrients to promote healthy skin can result in your eyes getting dull and transparent. 

To fight this, be sure that you are maintaining a well balanced diet and are not skipping meals. 

Underlying medical issues

In some instances, having black eyes can be due in part to an underlying medical condition. If you seemingly live a healthy and active lifestyle, yet are unsure why your under eyes are constantly dark, then you may want to consider visiting your doctor. 

For example, battling allergies or dealing with anemia can often cause bark circles under your eyes that can not be treated at home. 

Not protecting your skin 

If you do not protect your skin, then it is inevitable that you will damage it. One of the most common ways that skin damage occurs is via sun rays. 

When you go outside, it is imperative that you protect your skin. By applying sunscreen on your face and under your eyes, you will be able to fight off some of the damage that the sun can cause. 

Now that you have a general overview of what causes tired eyes, let’s go over some of the common ways you can help get rid of them. 

1. Cold Water

Cooling your tired eyes with cold water or a cold compress is one home remedy that can help bring some relief. Swelling and puffiness can be helped by the application of cold as well as relaxing tired muscles around your eyes and improving circulation.

What to do:

  • Splash cold water over your face and closed eyes to get quick relief.
  • You can also saturate a clean washcloth in cold water, wring out the excess water, lie down, and lay the cloth over your eyes for 5 minutes before refreshing the washcloth with more cold water and repeating the process several times.
  • Repeat this remedy as often as necessary until you get relief.

clean water

2. Warm Compress

Where a cold compress works great to relieve swelling and puffiness, some people respond better to a warm compress. A warm compress is an alternative home remedy to relax the muscles around your tired eyes and to soothe dry eyes.

What to do:

  • Saturate a soft cloth or washcloth in warm water and wring out the excess water.
  • Lie down and place the warm cloth over your eyes.
  • Relax leave the cloth in place for 3 to 5 minutes before refreshing it with more warm water.
  • Repeat this 3 to 4 times per session.
  • Repeat this remedy as often as necessary to gain relief.

3. Rose Water

An excellent way to relax tired eyes comes through the use of rose water. Rose water has been used in spas for fading dark circles, getting rid of puffiness around the eyes and rejuvenating the skin around the eyes. It is an effective home remedy that is very soothing.

What to do:

  • Splash your eyes with cold water before patting them dry with a towel.
  • Saturate 2 cotton balls in rose water, lie down, close your eyes and place the moist cotton balls over your eyes.
  • Repeat this remedy twice a day.

4. Chamomile

A quick and effective home remedy to bring relief to tired eyes is chamomile. This potent flower is excellent when it comes to reducing swelling and puffiness as well as relieving stress.

What to do:

  • Steep 2 chamomile tea bags in some hot water.
  • Remove the tea bags and place them in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or so.
  • Lie down and place the cool tea bags over your closed eyes for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Repeat the treatment as often as necessary to gain relief.

5. Cucumber

Another spa treatment that can be used as a home remedy for tired eyes is cucumber slices. The astringent properties of cucumbers help to draw out the puffiness around your eyes and soothe those tired muscles as well.

What to do:

  • Chill a medium-sized cucumber in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Slice a couple of thick slices from the cucumber, lie down and place the slices over your closed eyes for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Repeat this as often as necessary to relieve puffiness and strain.

6. Sunglasses

The damage caused by UV rays can also contribute significantly to tired eyes. Whenever you are out in the sun during the day, be sure to wear a quality pair of sunglasses, especially if you are driving as road glare is one of the most exhausting things for your eyes.

What to do:

  • Invest in a quality pair of sunglasses with the ability to block 99 to 100 percent of all UVA and UVB radiation.

7. Whole Milk

Nutritionists have been causing us to flee from whole milk for decades, but it does have its useful purposes as a home remedy to bring relief to tired eyes. The fats in whole milk have a soothing effect on tired eyes and also help to reduce irritation and puffiness.

What to do:

  • Saturate 2 cotton balls in cold whole milk.
  • Lie down and place the cotton balls over your closed eyes.
  • Relax and leave them in place for 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Do this as often as necessary to gain relief.

8. Blink Often

It sounds simple enough, but it is a difficult thing to train yourself to do. Your eyes need moisturizing to keep them relaxed and working properly, so to relieve those tired eyes you need to blink as often as possible.

What to do:

  • Staring at computer screens, smartphones and the road in front of you is common.
  • Train yourself to blink while 10 to 15 times every few minutes especially while working on the computer or driving.

9. Eat Eye-Healthy Foods

A simple home remedy to keep from getting tired eyes is to eat an eye-healthy diet. Certain vitamins, such as vitamin A and beta-carotene, minerals and other nutrients help to strengthen your eyes and prevent them from reaching a point of exhaustion.

What to do:

10. Stay Hydrated

Water helps all of your body’s organs to function at their proper level and your eyes are no different. Thus, the simplest and most readily available home remedy for tired eyes is to stay hydrated.

What to do:

  • Drink a minimum of eight 12 oz. glasses of water per day.
  • Consume broths and soups as part of at least one meal daily.
  • Freshly squeezed juice and herbal teas help as well.
  • Stay away from alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks as they tend to dehydrate you.

11. Massage

A gentle massage of your eyelids and the muscles around your eyes is another simple home remedy that you can use to relieve those tired eyes. Massaging your eyes and the muscles surrounding them increases blood circulation in the area and also stimulates tear ducts to keep your eyes moistened.

What to do:

  • Using your fingers, gently massage the muscles above your eyebrows for 10 to 20 seconds.
  • Switch to the lower muscles under your eyes and over your cheekbones and massage those muscles for 10 to 20 seconds.
  • Massage the temple and upper cheekbones on the outside of your eyes as well as the bridge or your nose as well.
  • Repeat this 2 to 3 times daily.

12. Palming

A technique utilized to relax tired eyes and reduce eye strain is palming. Palming is a home remedy that allows your eyes to go into a dormant state to recharge and refocus the muscles. It is great to use while reading or working on a computer.

What to do:

  • Sit up straight and get as comfortable as possible.
  • Rub your hands together to warm them, and then place the warm palms over your closed eyes without applying any pressure.
  • Relax and enjoy the moment of darkness for about 30 seconds.
  • Uncover your eyes and allow them to scan around the room for a minute or so.
  • Repeat the process 3 to 5 times per session.
  • Use this technique throughout the day or night to bring relief.

13. Exercise

Just like every other muscle, the muscles around your eyes can be strengthened through exercise. Not only will strengthening your eye muscles help prevent tired eyes, but it will also help to increase the circulation in the area and help them to function at their optimal level.

What to do:

  • Take a pen or pencil and hold it at arm’s length. Bring it in close and focus on it, and then move it farther away, focusing on it once more.
  • Repeat this exercise 10 to 15 reps each sitting.
  • Additionally, roll your eyes clockwise and the counter-clockwise for a few seconds. Take a break and blink your eyes rapidly and then repeat the same exercise 4 or 5 more times.
  • Do these exercise every 3 to 4 hours when your eyes are under heavy strain.

14. Sunning

A simple home remedy which is extremely beneficial for tired eyes is a practice known as sunning. Sunning helps your body to produce beneficial vitamin D which supports all of your body’s organs and brings overall health and wellness.

What to do:

  • Remove your eyeglasses or contact lenses and stand in a sunny place in the morning hours before 10 a.m.
  • Close your eyes and allow the sunlight to fall on your eyelids.
  • While your eyelids are bathed in the sunlight, move your eyes right to left, up and down, and clockwise and counter-clockwise.
  • Repeat these exercises for a total of 5 minutes each session.
  • Follow up sunning with palming.
  • Repeat this practice on a daily basis.

a lot of carrots

15. Beta-Carotene

One home remedy to fight off tired eyes is by being certain that you have sufficient amounts of beta-carotene in your diet. Beta-carotene is a compound found in antioxidants which helps to protect your eyes and keep them functioning at their highest level.

What to do:

  • Include more beta-carotene in your diet on a daily basis by eating foods rich in beta-carotene.
  • Take a beta-carotene supplement at a dosage of 6 mg to 15 mg per day.

Conclusion

Your eyes, it is said, are the windows to your soul. Protect both and avoid the exhaustion and damage which comes from too much eye strain by making use of one or several of our 15 home remedies for tired eyes that really work. If you have questions, comments or home remedies to add to our list, we would love to see them in the comments section below.

Images: Soroush Karimi @ unsplash.com, and depositphotos.com.