We’ve all had a late night crying, only to wake up with puffy eyes. Or you may have pulled an all-nighter, regretting it in the morning when you look in the mirror. The skin around your eyes is very thin and tender.
If you have bags under your eyes, you might want to consider making a few changes to your sleep habits.
Why Puffy Eyes?
The area around your eyes is very sensitive. The skin by your eye is thin and susceptible to swelling, fluids and irritation. Bags under the eyes occur due to blood and fluid congested in the tissue. As you age, the eye muscles also begin to weaken and may make the eyes appear puffy.
Bags under eyes can include:
- Mild swelling
- Saggy or loose skin
- Dark circles
If you’ve struggled with puffy eyes, it is usually a cosmetic concern and doesn’t really require medical care. However, if you would like prevent worsening, consider your sleep routine.
“Decrease sleep time and poor quality sleep can contribute to bags under the eyes,” said Kimberly English, MSN, RN, FNP, a nurse practitioner on the medical staff at Scott & White Sleep Institute.
Get More Sleep
Changing your sleep routine can be difficult. Years of bad habits can lead to under-eye bags and leave you feeling groggy. If you’re worried about the bags under your eyes, consider a few tips for improving your sleep, because the earlier you make a change, the better.
To avoid eye bags, Kimberly suggests:
- Not using the bed for activities other than sleep: for example TV, electronic games, computer.
- Avoid caffeine intake six hours before bedtime.
- Avoid nicotine and alcohol before bedtime.
- Avoid napping during the daytime.
- Take a look at family members to see if eye bags are common in your family.
- Consider sleeping on your back to avoid blood flow to your eyes.
After a few years of poor sleeping habits, eye bags may look permanent. More than this, loss of sleep can make it harder to remember things, inhibit your performance throughout the day and make you drowsy or moody.
“Maintain a regular sleep and wake schedule,” Kimberly said.
Take Care of Yourself
Puffy eyes may also be the result of allergies or a cold. It’s important to see your doctor if you’re experiencing anything out of the norm. The swelling around your eyes can be a warning sign, and you may need to take other precautions to improve your baggy eyelids.
Also, if you have bags under your eyes, have optometry questions or are interested in eye procedures, get eye care near you.
