Are you waking up each morning wondering why your eyes are puffy? Are you starting to wonder how and why they keep showing up? If you ask a doctor he’s not going to tell you it’s because you’ve been chasing toddlers all day, he may give you some other solid reasons that are causing that unwanted puffiness. Don’t get me wrong, chasing toddlers is tiring and as moms, we need to make sure we are getting enough sleep at the end of the day. But, typically puffiness around the eyes is caused by an accumulation of fluid. Because the skin around our eyes is so thin, any collection of fluid shows up as puffiness. If you haven’t been crying or suffering from nasty allergies, then just what is causing your eyes to look swollen? Here are a few reasons (10 to be exact) that just might be the answer to your puffy problem.
1. Pay Attention To Your Eye Cream
Ironically, what you put on your eyes at night could be the problem. Typically we wear moisturizer and eye cream to take care of the skin around our eyes, but if the ingredients are too rich or you are allergic to the ingredients, this too can cause eyes to be puffy.
2. Sleep Elevated
Experts have always said sleeping a tad elevated is better for you then sleeping flat. A flat pillow can cause fluid to pool around your eyes. It’s good to sleep on a higher pillow so your head is elevated to allow for better circulation and to prevent fluid from collecting around your eyes. Just be sure your shoulders are in line with your neck for full support. If you don’t, you’ll not only be waking up with puffy eyes but a neck ache as well.
3. Sleep On Your Back
First, make sure you are getting enough sleep at night. Lack of sleep can really contribute to puffy, tired eyes. Next make sure you’re sleeping on your back. Sleeping on your back (elevated of course) is the best position to sleep for circulation and a youthful complexion. Pressing your face into the pillow or your arm can cause wrinkles, crinkles and unwanted puffiness.
4. Having Hormone Fluctuations?
Puffiness around your eyes could also be due to hormone fluctuations. When a woman has hormone fluctuations and her body retains fluid, fluid around the eyes is common. If one retains water near her menstrual cycle, puffy eyes may only be a problem each month while the hormones are changing. The same is true during pregnancy. In this case, the puffiness will go away as soon as your hormones normalize. Please see your doctor if you think this is the problem. He will be able to properly help you through the process.
5. Avoid Salty Foods
Salty food increases fluid retention as the body can only store salt in fluid suspension. If you have a habit of eating foods high in sodium especially prior to going to bed, you may find yourself waking up to a set of puffy eyes due to swelling of your eye tissues. It might be time to change your eating habits if the puffiness persists.
6. Are You Sick?
If you are suffering from a cold, allergies or a sinus infection, chances are you’ll have puffiness around your eyes until the illness is gone. Another possible issue could be edema, which is swelling caused by a collection of fluid in the small spaces that surround the body’s tissues and organs. Health problems related to hormonal imbalance can also cause puffiness.
7. Drink Plenty of Water
Not drinking enough water can also cause your eyes to be puffy. When your body starts to dehydrate, it attempts to store extra water by retaining fluid, which in turn can lead to puffy eyes.
8. Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol can cause dehydration in your body too and as a result, puffiness in your eyes. We all know alcohol takes a toll on our skin. It’s a good idea to avoid alcohol if you want youthful skin and non-puffy eyes.
9. Check Your Contact Lenses
Your contact lenses could be a culprit for causing your eyes to look swollen. Make sure you are following your prescription and you are visiting your eye doctor on a regular basis.
10. What Do Your Genes Say?
Some people are born with naturally looking puffy eyes or very heavy eye bags. As you get older, your skin loses its elasticity and eyes are more susceptible to swelling. Puffy eyes, especially under your eyes could be a sign of natural aging. Every women’s body is made differently and retains water differently. You may not have a problem you can fix, your puffy eyes just may be the way God made them and in that case self acceptance is in order.
