Showing posts with label NEWSLETTER. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NEWSLETTER. Show all posts

September 8, 2025

Stay Healthy Live Longer

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🌿 Stay Healthy, Live Longer! 🌿



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July 6, 2025

Driving a tanker truck is one of the most high-risk occupations- 2025 New law

 

Driving a tanker truck is one of the most high-risk occupations in the transport sector, especially in countries like India, where road conditions, regulatory enforcement, and driving behavior pose additional challenges. Here’s a breakdown of why it’s risky, what challenges drivers face, and whether it makes sense to inspect or retire vehicles older than 15 years.

🚛 Why Driving a Tanker Truck Is So Risky

1. Hazardous Cargo

Tankers often carry flammable, explosive, or toxic materials (e.g., petrol, diesel, chemicals).

Even a minor accident can lead to massive fires or environmental damage.
2. Sloshing Effect

Unlike solid cargo, liquid inside tankers moves around.

This creates a sloshing or surge effect, making the truck unstable, especially during braking or sharp turns.

Tankers are prone to rollovers because their center of gravity is much higher than ordinary trucks.

Rollovers are common in hill roads or while avoiding sudden obstacles.

4. Poor Road Infrastructure in India

Potholes, unmarked speed breakers, and narrow roads make control even more difficult.

Many roads lack emergency lanes or proper lighting.

5. Fatigue and Long Hours

Tanker drivers often drive for 12–16 hours a day, leading to fatigue—a major cause of accidents.

Unlike passenger transport, there are often no co-drivers or shifts.

6. Lack of Emergency Response

In case of an accident involving a tanker, emergency services may not arrive in time, especially in rural areas.

Firefighting for chemical tankers requires specialized training and equipment.

🇮🇳 Tanker Accident Trends in India

NHAI data and traffic studies suggest that tanker trucks are disproportionately involved in fatal accidents, especially on national highways.

Common causes:

  • Over-speeding
  • Driver fatigue
  • Poor vehicle maintenance
  • Improper loading of cargo

Accidents are particularly deadly due to the risk of explosions or hazardous chemical leaks.

🔧 Should India Check or Ban Tankers Older Than 15 Years?

✅ Yes — Here’s Why It Makes Sense:

1. Structural Fatigue

Tankers face intense wear-and-tear. Over 15 years, metal fatigue and corrosion can weaken the tanker shell.

Risk of leakage or rupture increases.

2. Lack of Modern Safety Features

Older vehicles lack stability control, anti-lock braking systems (ABS), and rollover protection.

3. Pollution Control

Older trucks contribute heavily to air pollution. Newer BS-VI (Euro 6 equivalent) norms are much cleaner.

4. Unreliable Braking and Suspension

Even well-maintained old trucks struggle with performance issues in hilly or wet conditions.

👎 Challenges with Implementation:

Many small operators rely on older vehicles due to financial constraints.

There may be resistance from transport unions and a need for government support (subsidies or loan schemes).

🛠️ How Drivers Manage Tanker Truck Challenges Driving a tanker truck is one of the most high-risk occupations 

1. Specialized Training

Certified training in handling hazardous material (HAZMAT) and emergency drills.

2. Speed Control

Avoid high speeds, especially on turns or during poor weather.

3. Proper Loading

Keeping the tank 80–90% full minimizes sloshing.

4. Pre-Trip Inspections

Checking brakes, tires, lights, and pressure valves before every trip.

5. Route Planning

Avoiding congested or poorly maintained roads whenever possible.

6. Communication & GPS

Staying in contact with dispatchers and using GPS to avoid risky areas.

🧠 Conclusion

Driving a tanker truck is inherently dangerous, and in India, the risk is amplified by road and regulatory challenges. Strict inspection and phasing out vehicles over 15 years old is a smart and necessary move to improve safety, reduce pollution, and save lives. But it must be supported with incentives for fleet renewal and better training programs for drivers.

Next....


June 30, 2025

Kitchen Furness -Asafoetida (Hing) surprising value





खाना बनाते समय हम लोग कई सारे मसालों का इस्तेमाल करते हैं जिससे खाना लजीज बन जाता है। लेकिन क्या आपको पता है कि किचन में आपकी सेहत का राज भी छिपा हुआ है। तो चलिए आज हम आपको हींग वाले पानी के बारे में बताते हैं जिसे पीने से आपको कई फायदे होंगे।

पेट की तकलीफ करेगा दूर

पेट में दर्द होना आम बात है और अक्सर लोग इस समस्या से जूझते नजर आते हैं लेकिन उस समय एक गिलास हींग का पानी आपकी पेट की समस्या को चुटकियों में दूर कर देगा। हींग के पानी में मौजूद एंटी इंफ्लेमेंट्री और एंटी ऑक्सीडेट्स तत्व खराब पेट और एसिडिटी के अलावा कई बीमारियों से निजात दिलाता है।

हड्डियों और दांतों को बनाता है मजबूत

हींग के पानी में एंटी इंफ्लेमेट्री प्रॉपर्टीज मौजूद होती हैं जो हड्डियों को मजबूती देती हैं। वहीं हींग में पाया जाने वाला एंटी ऑक्सीडेट्स दांतों को हेल्दी और strong बनाता है।

ब्लड प्रेशर को करता है नियंत्रित

हींग को खाने में डालकर खाना हो या फिर पानी में मिलाकर पीना दोनों ही आपके शरीर के लिए गुणकारी होता है। हींग का पानी शरीर में ब्लड प्रेशर को नियंत्रित रखता है।

माइग्रेन के दर्द में कारगर

हींग का पानी माइग्रेन के दर्द के अलावा दांत के दर्द से भी राहत दिलाता है। इसमें मौजूद एंटीऑक्सीडेंट्स और दर्द निवारक तत्व मौजूद होते हैं जो दर्द से राहत दिलाने में मदद करते हैं।

हींग पुट्ठे और दिमाग की बीमारियों को खत्म करती है जैसे मिर्गी, फालिज, लकवा आदि। हींग आंखों की बीमारियों में फायदा पहुंचाती है। खाने को हजम करती है, भूख को भी बढ़ा देती है। गरमी पैदा करती है और आवाज को साफ करती हैं। हींग का लेप घी या तेल के साथ चोट और बाई पर करने से लाभ मिलता है तथा हींग को कान में डालने से कान में आवाज़ का गूंजना और बहरापन दूर होता है। हींग जहर को भी खत्म करती है। हवा से लगने वाली बीमारियों को भी हींग मिटाती है। हींग हलकी, गर्म और और पाचक है। यह कफ तथा वात को खत्म करती है। हींग हलकी तेज और रुचि बढ़ाने वाली है। हींग श्वास की बीमारी और खांसी का नाश करती है। इसलिए हींग एक गुणकारी औषधि है।

अचार की सुरक्षा: आचार की सुरक्षा के लिए बर्तन में पहले हींग का धुंआ दें। उसके बाद उसमें अचार भरें। इस प्रयोग से आचार खराब नहीं होता है।

पसली का दर्द: हींग को गर्म पानी में मिलाकर पसलियों पर मालिश करें। इससे दर्द में लाभ मिलता है।

पित्ती: हींग को घी में मिलाकर मालिश करना पित्ती में लाभकारी होता है।

जहर खा लेने पर: हींग को पानी में घोलकर पिलाने से उल्टी होकर ज़हर का असर खत्म हो जाता है।

दांतों की बीमारी: दांतों में दर्द होने पर दर्द वाले दातों के नीचे हींग दबाकर रखने से जल्द आराम मिलता है।

दांतों में कीड़े लगना: हींग को थोड़ा गर्मकर कीड़े लगे दांतों के नीचे दबाकर रखें। इससे दांत व मसूढ़ों के कीड़े मर जाते हैं।

दांत दर्द:हींग को पानी में उबालकर उस पानी से कुल्ले करने से दांतों का दर्द दूर हो जाता है।
शुद्ध हींग को चम्मच भर पानी में गर्म करके रूई भिगोकर दर्द वाले दांत के नीचे रखें। इससे दांतों का दर्द ठीक होता है।
हींग को गर्म करके दांत या जबड़े के नीचे दबाने से दांतों में लगे हुए कीड़े मर जाते हैं और दर्द में आराम मिलता है।

अपच: हींग, छोटी हरड़, सेंधानमक, अजवाइन, बराबर मात्रा में पीस लें। एक चम्मच प्रतिदिन 3 बार गर्म पानी के साथ लें। इससे पाचन शक्ति ठीक हो जाती है।

भूख न लगना: भोजन करने से पहले घी में भुनी हुई हींग एवं अदरक का एक टुकड़ा, मक्खन के साथ लें। इससे भूख खुलकर आने लगती है।

पागल कुत्ते के काटने पर: पागल कुत्ते के काटने पर हींग को पानी में पीसकर काटे हुए स्थान पर लगायें। इससे पागल कुत्ते के काटने का विष समाप्त हो जाता है।

सांप के काटने पर:हींग को एरण्ड की कोपलों के साथ पीसकर चने के बराबर गोलियां बना लें सांप के विष पर ये गोलियां हर आधा घंटे के अन्दर सेवन करने से लाभ होता है।
गाय के घी के साथ थोड़ा-सा हींग डालकर खाने से सांप का जहर उतर जाता है।

बुखार:हींग का सेवन करने से सीलन भरी जगह में होने वाला बुखार मिटाता है।
हींग को नौसादार या गूगल के साथ देने से टायफायड बुखार में लाभ होता है।

कमर दर्द:

1 ग्राम तक सेंकी हुई हींग थोड़े से गर्म पानी में मिलाकर धीरे-धीरे पीने से कमर का दर्द, स्वरभेद, पुरानी खांसी और जुकाम आदि में लाभ होता है।

अजीर्ण:हींग की गोली (चने के आकार की) बनाकर घी के साथ निगलने से अजीर्ण और पेट के दर्द में लाभ होता है।
पेट दर्द होने पर हींग को नाभि पर लेप लगाएं।

वातशूल: हीग को 20 ग्राम पानी में उबालें। जब थोड़ा-सा पानी बच जाए तो तब इसको पीने से वातशूल में लाभ होता है।

पीलिया:हींग को गूलर के सूखे फलों के साथ खाने से पीलिया में लाभ होता है।
पीलिया होने पर हींग को पानी में घिसकर आंखों पर लगायें।

पेशाब खुलकर आना: हींग को सौंफ के रस के साथ सेवन करने से पेशाब खुलकर आता है।

चक्कर: घी में सेंकी हुई हींग को घी के साथ खाने से गर्भावस्था के दौरान आने वाले चक्कर और दर्द खत्म हो जाते हैं।

घाव के कीड़े: हींग और नीम के पत्ते पीसकर उसका लेप करने से व्रण (घाव) में पड़े हुए कीडे़ मर जाते हैं।

कान दर्द: हींग को तिल के तेल में पकाकर उस तेल की बूंदें कान में डालने से तेज कान का दर्द दूर होता है।

असली हींग की पहचान – Real Asafoetida

हीग सावधानी से खरीदनी चाहिए। बाजार में खुले में बिकने वाली Hing नकली भी हो सकती है। असली हींग की पहचान करने के तरीके से असली Hing और नकली Hing में फर्क मालूम चलता है तथा हींग में मिलावट हो तो उसका भी पता लगाया जा सकता है।

असली हींग की पहचान इस प्रकार की जा सकती है :

— असली हीग की पहचान करने के लिए हीग को पानी में घोलना चाहिए। पानी का रंग दूध जैसा सफ़ेद हो जाये तो हीग को असली समझना चाहिए।

— माचिस की जलती हुई तीली हीग के पास लाने से चमकदार लौ निकलती है तथा यह पूरी तरह जल जाती है। नकली हीग के साथ ऐसा नहीं होता।

— नकली हींग में गंध के लिए एसेंस मिला हो सकता है। वक्त के साथ यदि हींग की गंध जल्दी ही ख़त्म हो जाती है तो हींग नकली
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INTRODUCTION
Asafoetida is usually used to add to dal and vegetables, hence it is also known as 'Bhagharni'. Asafoetida is the smooth juice of a plant called Ferula foetis. Its plant is 60 to 90 cm high. These plants are found in abundance in the hilly areas of Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Balochistan, Kabul and Khurasan. Milk comes out by lightly hitting the leaves and bark of asafoetida and the same milk dries on the tree and forms a gum. This is taken out and filled in leaves or skin and dried. After drying, it is known as asafoetida. But the asafoetida used by Vaidyas is diamond asafoetida and it is the best.

It is consumed in large quantities in our country. Asafoetida cures many diseases. Vaidyas say that asafoetida should be roasted before using it. Four types of asafoetida are found in the markets such as Kandhari asafoetida, European commercial asafoetida, Bharatvarsiya asafoetida, Vapind asafoetida.

There is a huge consumption of it in the country. Asafoetida cures many diseases. Vaidyas say that asafoetida should be roasted before using it. Four types of asafoetida are found in the market such as Kandhari asafoetida, European commerce asafoetida, Indian asafoetida, Vapind asafoetida.

While cooking, we use many spices which make the food delicious. But do you know that the secret of your health is also hidden in the kitchen. So let us tell you today about asafoetida water, drinking which will give you many benefits. It




cure stomach problems.
Stomach

ache is a common thing and often people are seen struggling with this problem, but at that time a glass of asafoetida water will cure your stomach problem in a jiffy. The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidants present in asafoetida water provide relief from many diseases apart from bad stomach and acidity.

Makes bones and teeth strong.

Anti-inflammatory properties are present in asafoetida water which strengthens the bones. The anti-oxidants found in asafoetida make the teeth healthy and strong.

Controls blood pressure Eating

asafoetida by adding it in food or drinking it mixed in water, both are beneficial for your body. Asafoetida water keeps blood pressure under control in the body.

Effective in migraine pain

Asafoetida water provides relief from migraine pain as well as toothache. It contains antioxidants and pain relieving elements which help in relieving pain.

Asafoetida cures diseases of buttocks and brain like epilepsy, paralysis, etc. Asafoetida is useful in eye diseases. It digests food, increases appetite. It produces heat and clears the voice. Applying paste of asafoetida with ghee or oil on wounds and wounds is beneficial. Putting asafoetida in the ear cures ringing sound in the ears and deafness. Asafoetida also cures poison. Asafoetida also cures diseases caused by air. Asafoetida is light, hot and digestive. It cures phlegm and wind. Asafoetida is light, sharp and increases appetite. Asafoetida cures respiratory diseases and cough. Therefore, asafoetida is an effective medicine.

Protection of pickle: For protection of pickle, first smoke asafoetida in the vessel. After that fill pickle in it. Pickle does not get spoiled by this method.


Rib pain: Mix asafoetida in hot water and massage on the ribs. This gives relief in pain.

Urticaria: Massaging with asafoetida mixed in ghee is beneficial in urticaria.

In case of poisoning: Dissolve asafoetida in water and drink it, the effect of poison ends due to vomiting.

Dental disease: In case of toothache, pressing asafoetida under the aching teeth gives quick relief.

Cavities in teeth: Heat asafoetida a little and press it under the tooth with cavities. This kills the worms in the teeth and gums.

Toothache:

Boil asafoetida in water and gargle with that water to get rid of toothache.

Heat pure asafoetida in a spoonful of water, soak cotton in it and place it under the aching tooth. This cures toothache.

Heating asafoetida and pressing it under the tooth or jaw kills the worms in the teeth and gives relief from pain.

Indigestion: Grind asafoetida, small myrobalan, rock salt, celery in equal quantities. Take one spoonful 3 times a day with warm water. This improves digestion.

Loss of appetite: Before having food, take asafetida roasted in ghee and a piece of ginger with butter. This increases appetite.

In case of mad dog bite: In case of mad dog bite, grind asafetida in water and apply on the bitten area. This eliminates the poison of mad dog bite.

In case of snake bite:

Grind asafetida with castor buds and make pills of the size of gram. Consuming these pills every half an hour is beneficial in case of snake venom.

Consuming a little asafetida with cow ghee removes the snake venom.
Fever:

Consuming asafetida eliminates fever in damp places.

Giving asafetida with nausadar or guggal is beneficial in typhoid fever.
Back pain:

Mixing 1 gram of roasted asafetida in a little warm water and drinking it slowly is beneficial in back pain, hoarseness of voice, chronic cough and cold etc.

Indigestion:

Make a tablet of asafoetida (gram size) and swallow it with ghee to get relief from indigestion and stomach pain.

In case of stomach pain, apply a paste of asafoetida on the navel.

Vata-colic: Boil 20 grams of asafoetida in water. When little water is left, drinking it provides relief in Vata-colic.
Jaundice:

Eating asafoetida with dried fruits of figs is beneficial in jaundice.

In case of jaundice, rub asafoetida in water and apply it on the eyes.

Free urination: Eating asafoetida with fennel juice helps in free urination.

Dizziness: Eating asafoetida roasted in ghee with ghee eliminates dizziness and pain during pregnancy.

Wound worms: Grind asafoetida and neem leaves and apply it on the wound, the worms in the wound die.

Ear ache: Cook asafoetida in sesame oil and put drops of that oil in the ear to relieve severe ear ache.


Identification of real asafoetida – Real Asafoetida

Asafoetida should be purchased carefully. Hing sold openly in the market can also be fake. The method of identifying real asafoetida helps to know the difference between real and fake Hing, and if there is adulteration in the Asafoetida, that can also be detected.

Real Asafoetida can be identified in this manner:

To identify real Asafoetida, it should be dissolved in water. If the color of the water turns milky white, then the Asafoetida should be considered to be real.
By bringing the burning matchstick near the Asafoetida, a bright flame comes out and it burns completely. This does not happen with fake Asafoetida
Essence might be mixed in fake Asafoetida for smell
If the smell of Asafoetida fades away quickly with time, then the Asafoetida is fake.

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June 15, 2025

Consumer Reports 2025 Names Its 10 Top Vehicles for 2025. Which One is Best for Older Adults?

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Consumer Reports Names Its 10 Top Vehicles for 2025. Which One is Best for Older Adults?

Find out if your car is on the list. Plus, learn the features older adults should consider
One thing many car owners can agree on is that they don't like surprises. If you’re in that group, then this year’s Consumer Reports top 10 best cars, trucks and SUVs is for you. Focusing on reliability and value, the Consumer Report (CR) ranking includes eight returning winners from last year, a number of hybrids, one electric vehicle

Mobility Issues? Here Are the Easiest Cars to Get In and Out of

A--small car
Best small car
Nissan
Nissan
Nissan Sentra



Price: Starting at $22,730
EPA mpg: 34
NHTSA safety rating: 5 stars
B+-Best subcompact SUjV

Subaru Crosstrek
Price: Starting at $27,230
EPA mpg: 29


C--Best compact SUV

Subaru
SubaruSubaru Forester
  • Price: Starting at $31,415
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C--Best midsized car
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Price: Starting at $45,615
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Toyota RAV4 PHEV
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March 10, 2025

When you set your clock forward an hour every spring for daylight

 pattern of blue retro alarm clocks show 2 o'clock and one black shows 3 o’clock. Changing to daylight savings time

Diagnosis 

When you set your clock forward an hour every spring for daylight saving time (DST)— as we'll do on March 9 — it doesn’t just make you feel tired, experts say. A growing amount of research indicates that it also affects your body in other surprising and negative ways. ​

For most people, setting the clock ahead in the spring is the most dreaded change. The average person gets about 40 minutes less sleep on the Monday after “springing forward” for daylight saving time, according to the Sleep Foundation.

Effects of daylight saving on the body

Daylight saving time throws your body’s internal clock out of whack, which can negatively affect your health in ways you don’t realize, says Jocelyn Cheng, M.D., a neurologist and sleep medicine specialist who is the vice-chair of the Public Safety Committee for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. ​

 Impaired decision-making 

Scientists have long known that lack of sleep can affect your ability to think and make decisions. Studies also show that people who don’t get enough shut-eye are more likely to take risks and make mistakes. 

“Light is the most powerful regulator of our circadian rhythm. When we change the light exposure we get in the morning and at night, it throws that off,” Cheng says. “There are adverse health consequences and real-life consequences as a result of that.”​

Losing an hour may not seem like a big deal, but it “really can have a significant impact on our overall health and well-being,” says Melissa Lipford, M.D., a neurologist and sleep specialist at the Mayo Clinic. ​ 

Should we keep daylight saving?

Daylight saving time has been around in the United States since 1918 when it was thought to save energy during World War I. In recent years, increasing concerns about health effects have prompted at least 40 states to propose legislation to eliminate the twice-yearly time changes. ​

Here are six ways the disruptions from daylight saving time in the spring can affect your body.

1. Higher risk of heart attack and stroke

Daylight saving time takes a toll on your heart. One study found a 24 percent increase in heart attacks on the Monday after daylight saving time starts. Another found the risk of stroke is 8 percent higher on the two days following the time change. 

In addition, the number of people hospitalized with atrial fibrillation, or A-fib — the most common type of irregular heartbeat — surges in the days following the spring time change, according to a 2020 analysis of 6,089 patient admissions at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. One study found the risk of stroke is 8 percent higher on the two days following the spring and the fall time change.

3. Difficulty with memory and focus

Lack of sleep negatively affects memory, attention span and focus, research shows.

March 8, 2025

The 9 Worst Habits for Your Eyes

bouquets 9 Worst Habits for Your Eyes

Everyday actions that can 

The importance of an annual eye exam cannot be overstated. Not only does it help you keep tabs on any changes in your vision, but it’s a must for detecting the big vision thieves: glaucoma, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), all of which can cause irreparable harm before you’ve even noticed any vision loss, says Michelle Andreoli, M.D., an ophthalmologist at Northwestern Medicine and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

What might not be so obvious when it comes to the health of your eyes are the everyday habits that affect them. Here are nine of the worst habits for eyes — and what you can do to break each of this

Bad habit 1: Smoking

Add this to the always-growing list of reasons to give up smoking for good: Cigarette smoke is more than just irritating to your eyes; research shows it also raises your risk of developing AMD, the eye disease that can blur your central vision. People over age 55 are already at risk for the condition, but a large review of studies published in Clinical Interventions in Aging shows that smokers are at a twofold to fourfold risk of AMD, as compared to never smokers. 

​​“Smoking reduces the effectiveness of antioxidants and may deplete these levels in the macula,” the small area at the center of the retina that’s necessary to see things in front of you, explains Ashley Brissette, M.D., an ophthalmologist and assistant professor of ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City. “Cigarette smoke also reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the tiny blood vessels that supply the eye, leading to vision damage.” That’s true for those who smoke only occasionally or are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke, Brissette adds. The good news? The same review of studies shows that kicking the habit not only reduces the risk of AMD, but after 20 years, the risk of developing the condition is the same as it is for nonsmokers.

Bad habit 2: Staring at your smartphone

Your eyes pay a price directly and indirectly when you stare at that tiny screen — or, for that matter, your computer screen or TV — without giving them a break. According to the American Optometric Association, using any of your digital devices continuously for two hours is enough to bring about digital eye strain.

“The two biggest concerns with onscreen habits boil down to chronic dry eye symptoms and disruption of natural sleep patterns,” Andreoli says. “We’re supposed to blink once every 4 seconds, and in front of the computer, we blink about once every 8 to 10 seconds. That [difference] may sound insignificant, but blinking is what keeps our eyes lubricated. [If] we aren’t lubricating our eyes sufficiently, we develop dry eye symptoms, and that leads to eye strain.” ​​Then there’s the toll too much screen time takes on our sleep patterns. “The brightness of the screen and the activity tells our brain it’s daytime, so we have a tendency not to get appropriately tired,” Andreoli says.

Her recommendation: Practice the 20-20-20 rule. Throughout the day, take a 20-second screen break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away. And while you’re in the habit-changing mode, turn off your phone and put the laptop away in the hours leading up to bedtime. If you like to play, say, Wordle or return emails late at night, be sure to dim the screen’s brightness. You can schedule this to happen automatically using the Night Shift setting on an iPhone or Notification Shade on an Android. ​

Bad habit 3: Not wearing sunglasses

In the same way that ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can do a number on your skin, it can also wreak havoc with your vision. Specifically, UV rays can damage the eye’s surface tissues, the cornea and lens. And over time, that damage can lead to cataracts, AMD and cancers of the eye.

“You can also develop a sunburn on the eyes called photokeratitis, which can be extremely painful,” Brissette says. To help prevent all of the above, wear sunglasses — and not just during the summer but every day of the year, even when it’s cloudy. ​​“Sunglasses protect the eyes in a few ways,” Brissette adds. “It’s hard to apply sunscreen close to the eyes, so sunglasses can act as a physical barrier, blocking UV rays from the eyelids and skin around the eyes. Also, the lenses of the sunglasses have UV protection.” To fully protect your eyes, check the tag or sticker to make sure the glasses provide 100 percent UV protection. “Some labels say, ‘UV absorption up to 400 nm,’ which is the same as 100 percent UV protection,” Brissette says. ​​

Worth noting: Even if you wear contact lenses with UV-blocking technology, you should still wear sunglasses outdoors. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, these contacts protect only the part of the eye they cover, leaving the outside of the eye exposed to harmful radiation. Your eyes get the most protection when you wear sunglasses, especially wraparound styles.

Bad habit 4: Sleeping in your contact lenses

Sure, contacts have gotten more user-friendly, but that doesn’t mean you can simply put them in and forget about them. “The biggest issue is the risk of infection, which can cause permanent scarring of the cornea and loss of vision,” Brissette says. “Bacteria and other debris get trapped between the contact lens and the surface of the cornea, so leaving them in too long or past their expiration [puts you at] high risk for developing an infection.”

About 1 in 3 contact lens wearers plead guilty to sleeping or napping in their lenses, according to research in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In doing so, they’re upping the risk for contact lens–related eye infections by six- to eightfold“They’ve come a long way in the last few decades, but the safety profile of contacts is dependent on not sleeping in them, swimming in them or showering in them — ever,” Andreoli says. “I suggest daily lenses for most of my patients — put them in in the morning and throw them away at night — because the risk for infection with those types of lenses is very low. With some of the longer-wear lenses, patients have a knack for losing track of how long they’ve worn them. That can cause trouble over time.” ​​

Bad habit 5: Rubbing your eyes

There’s no real harm in occasionally rubbing your eyes, but if you’re aggressive about it, you run the risk of damaging your cornea, the clear, dome-shaped front surface of your eye. “Some uncommon diseases of the cornea are associated with eye rubbing,” Andreoli says. Those include keratoconus, a condition that occurs when your cornea thins out and begins to bulge outward into a cone shape. As a result, your vision is blurry and distorted. 

A study published recently in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that the severity of dry eye disease was higher in patients who are chronic eye rubbers.

If you’re looking for quick relief from redness, irritation, dryness and grittiness in the eye, it’s OK to rub your eyes. “The occasional rub will milk some tears out of the tear gland, but try not to be overly aggressive or frequent,” Andreoli adds. Better yet, reach for some lubricating eye drops or place a hot washcloth over your eyes. ​​

​​If you find that you’re habitually rubbing your eyes — and one way to get a handle on just how often you’re rubbing is to keep track for a week — try rubbing the outer edge of the eye socket instead of your eyes as a way to minimize the consequences. If that doesn’t work, then seeing a therapist

Bad habit 6: Sleeping with your makeup on

Researchers have known for a while that wearing eye makeup increases your risk of inflammation and affects the quality of your tears. It also plays a role in the development and/or exacerbation of dry eye disease, according to research published in 2022 in the journal Cureus. That’s especially true if you make a habit of falling asleep with your makeup on.

Every once in a great while, it’s OK if you don’t take your makeup off before you fall asleep. Make a habit of it, however, and you raise your risk of eye infection, most notably in the form of a sty, a painful lump that grows from the base of your eyelash or under the eyelid. Also important: how you take off your eye makeup.

“Oil-based remover can exacerbate some dry eye symptoms because they deposit a ton of oil in the tears,” Andreoli says. “If patients are starting to notice this, abandon eye makeup remover and use very mild face soap instead.”


Bad habit 7: Heavy drinking

The surprise isn’t that drinking more than the recommended amount of alcohol — up to one drink per day for women and no more than two per day for men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — is bad for your health. The surprise is how bad heavy drinking can be for your eyes. “Some of the most damaging effects on vision are from extremely high levels of alcohol or chronic alcohol abuse,” Brissette says. “Toxic blood alcohol levels can permanently damage the optic nerve and vision centers.” 

In fact, a review of studies published in 2021 in the Journal of Ophthalmic & Vision Research found that chronic alcohol consumption raises the risk for cataracts, AMD, diabetic retinopathy and various types of optic neuropathy, among other conditions.

Social drinkers, take note: None of the above applies to you. But that doesn’t mean you’re totally in the clear. Even occasional alcohol use contributes to dry eye disease, Brissette says. 

Bad habit 8: Skimping on nutrients

Somewhere along the way, carrots became the poster vegetable for good eye health. While it’s true that your eyes need vitamin A — it helps nourish the cornea and is critical for the retina to function — the vitamin A-rich carrot is far from the only eye-friendly veggie.

In the landmark Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) and the follow-up AREDS2, researchers tested whether taking nutritional supplements — specifically, lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamins C and E, copper and zinc — could prevent or slow the progression of AMD and cataracts. The researchers found that taking the vitamins had no effect on cataracts, but it did help AMD patients reduce their risk of progressing from intermediate to advanced AMD by about 25 percent. The formulation tested in the study is now commonly sold over the counter as the AREDS2 formula.

Brissette recommends taking the supplement if you’ve been diagnosed with AMD. Otherwise, she suggests following the Mediterranean diet for overall eye health. “That’s what we have the best evidence for in terms of being beneficial for eye health — specifically, foods rich in vitamins A, C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin and omegas,” she says. “It’s always better to get our nutrients from whole food sources rather than from supplements, if possible. If you’ve been diagnosed with macular degeneration, then taking a supplement, such as AREDS2, can help to slow progression and are additionally recommended.”

Bad habit 9: Skipping vaccines

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends getting appropriate vaccines, including shingles and measles. Both diseases can cause serious vision problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone over age 50 get a two-course dose of Shingrix, which is 97 percent successful at preventing shingles in people in their 50s and 60s, and 91 percent successful for those in their 70s and older. In addition to a painful rash, shingles can cause serious complications, including nerve damage and vision loss. 

Although most older Americans have either had measles or had the MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella, some recent outbreaks are causing concern. If you can’t remember if you’ve had the illness or vaccine, talk to your doctor. Measles can infect the cornea and cause blindness, although due to widespread vaccination, this is rare in the United State on Eye Health

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