My mother had been complaining for quite some time about the diminishment of her vision. I was quite relieved when she told me that she had her eyes examined last week and was getting new glasses and an updated prescription. Taking care of your eyes and your eyesight is so important, as it impacts more than what you see when you open your eyes each day. So I'm happy to share this collaboration with Aly Stadler and to give you a little nudge (if it's needed) to care for your own vision.
Aly is a freelance writer and editor who enjoys working on topics related to human health, and does a lot of research on focus and productivity. Like many of the women in our community, Aly spends her weekends doing self-care activities, namely reading and hiking.
The Connection Between Your Vision, Mindfulness and Productivity
Your vision directly impacts many aspects of your life and can have more far-reaching effects than you may think.
According to a study from the Journal of Public Health, people with visual impairment tend to have a lower quality of life than the general population. This is often because vision health impacts one’s ability to connect, effectively maintain employment, and have self-efficacy.
Researchers have found that better social inclusion, connectedness, participation, and coping mechanisms can help improve a person's overall wellness with vision problems. In this vein, it’s worth looking into the connection between vision, mindfulness, and productivity.
How Vision Impacts Productivity
Countless studies have pointed to poor vision as one of the biggest causes of productivity and focus struggles, especially in work settings. Glaucoma patients have even been found to have higher sickness and absenteeism rates, reduced labor force participation, substantial productivity losses, and higher financial burdens. The disability brought on by the severity of visual impairment impacts a person's physical, emotional, and occupational functioning, in turn impacting their ability to earn a living.
Eyesight is no small factor in one’s ability to do professional tasks and enjoy activities in their downtime. As such, it’s important to consider interventions that minimize the negative impact of vision problems on one’s lifestyle. A simple yet often overlooked solution is the use of prescription glasses, which can address various vision needs and prevent symptoms from getting worse. One can easily get a Rayban Optics frame in metal, or Oakley Rafters for acetate options from LensCrafters, with the choice of material coming down to productivity needs more than aesthetics. Metal is generally more lightweight for long-term wear, whereas plastic or acetate are more accommodating to thicker lenses.
Getting an eye exam every year to detect potential issues as you age is also a good idea. While most people can usually go as far as going only every two years, more frequent checks are necessary if you are already dealing with vision problems. Your productivity and how you cope with the hurdles that get in your way also comes down to mindfulness, which is a valuable tool in managing vision.
How Mindfulness Affects Vision
Mindfulness is often recommended for people with chronic health issues because it helps you be more in tune with your body’s needs. Aside from increasing your awareness of your physical and mental state, mindfulness can also equip you with the process needed to regulate yourself and redirect your trauma response more effectively. Various vision issues can cause distress, discomfort, and comorbidities that can be managed more efficiently with mindfulness.
While mindfulness cannot reverse eye damage or vision loss, it is a great way to mitigate many of the accompanying symptoms. In particular, a review of studies from the British Journal of Visual Impairment found meditation and breathing exercises to be practical tools in managing vision loss and its effects on patients' disease progression. In addition to the aid these practices provide for stress reduction, they can even decrease intraocular pressure, increase beta-endorphins, and help lower inflammatory markers. Furthermore, optometrists are actively researching how this could inform the development of new treatment plans to improve the rates of clinical progression.
Individuals can present differently with their eye conditions, and unique lifestyle choices can also contribute to outcomes. That said, integrating mindfulness into one’s routine can positively impact one’s vision management and overall quality of life. Some ways to use mindfulness against procrastination and unproductivity include creating a plan of action, setting daily/weekly priorities, and getting direct sunlight early in the morning to manage your energy and focus levels for the rest of the day. Combined with other medical interventions and good eye health practices, the effects of mindfulness practice are worth considering for both short-term relief and long-term care.
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