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Last Updated on July 25, 2024 by Randy Withers, LCMHC
In late 2023, a systematic review of 692 records found strong evidence that spectacle correction increased mental health scores. Children who had undergone myopic correction experienced a significant decline in physical anxiety and learning anxiety. This translated to improvement in educational well-being, with students obtaining higher math and literacy scores and a 44% reduction in the chances of failing a class.
Eyeglasses are often seen as mere tools to correct vision, but the study above shows that their impact extends far beyond improving sight. From reducing anxiety to boosting quality of life, here are six ways wearing glasses can benefit your mental health.
Mental Health” class=”wp-image-43660″ style=”object-fit:cover;width:400px;height:600px”/>Wearing Glasses For Mental Health: 6 Key Benefits
Eyewear often gets overlooked as a simple tool for vision correction, but its effects extend far beyond just improving sight. From alleviating stress and boosting self-esteem to enhancing overall quality of life, glasses play a crucial role in mental health. Here’s how wearing glasses can positively impact various aspects of your well-being.
Decreases strain and stress
Stress is a normal aspect of everyday life. However, chronic stress at extreme levels can be life-threatening. It can accelerate the rate of atrophy in your brain or release ACTH and cortisol to suppress your body’s immune system. Meanwhile, its psychological consequences can manifest as excessive worrying, causing you to pace, bite your nails, or even rely on vices such as alcohol for relaxation.
The risks are even higher in today’s digital age, where prolonged screen time is the norm, leading to increased mental stress and visual strain. According to the Vision Council, 59% of adults report experiencing digital eye strain symptoms, such as headaches, blurred vision, and neck pain.
Wearing glasses with the correct prescription helps reduce the frustration and discomfort associated with visual impairment. This can enhance your mood and enable longer and more restful sleep.
Gives you peace of mind
Constantly struggling to see isn’t only mentally exhausting but also dangerous. Individuals with poor vision have twice the chance of falls, multiple falls, and related fractures, which can be the most common impaired health condition in old age. Glasses provide peace of mind by ensuring that you can see clearly in various situations, from navigating the kitchen to climbing up the stairs or even driving.
This security allows you to focus on tasks without the distraction and stress of visual impairment. Knowing that you can rely on your glasses to navigate daily activities also reduces the cognitive load, allowing for a calmer and more composed mental state.
Boosts quality of life
When you struggle to see clearly, everyday tasks can become challenging. This is a common experience among elderly people, whose eye lenses have become less flexible with age. This can contribute to a lower quality of life as one becomes less capable of enjoying their hobbies or living independently.
Glasses enable individuals to engage more confidently in the private corners of their homes. Even without a prescription, reading glasses can help seniors see close-up visuals and participate in activities they enjoy such as reading, cooking, or using digital devices. Today, these come in various designs that you can confidently wear, even in social settings.
Wear a sleek pair of reading sunglasses like the Bermuda from Readers on your next vacation, or swap them out for the wire-framed Conrad readers during a classy dinner, and you can easily pursue the joys of senior life.
Encourages positive self-image
The various designs of glasses today mean that eyewear is no longer associated with a ‘nerdy’ or ‘uncool’ image. Contrary to the narratives in movies like Princess Diaries, many celebrities accessorize with eyeglasses, with Queen of Genovia Anne Hathaway herself wearing a pair of universally flattering tortoiseshell frames at the premiere of Rio.
The trick here is to choose what’s flattering for your features, considering your face shape, hair color, and your everyday wardrobe.
You can use round frames to soften a square face shape or pair black frames with red lipstick for a great contrast of colors. These tactical use of glasses can enhance your appearance and contribute to a positive self-image and improved self-esteem overall.
Helps decrease social anxiety
Glasses can provide comfort in nerve-wracking social situations. See actor and former wrestler Dave Bautista, who has popularly worn colored sunglasses onscreen, donning the Carrera CA1005-S in the movie Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and even offscreen. During the latter, he opts for large black-rimmed frames with a ski-goggle tint.
Gregory Scott Brown, M.D., explains that there’s science behind using tinted lenses. Initial studies on ‘chromotherapy glasses’ have found that red tints induce the largest Late-Positive Potentials, or brain waves that get bigger when we see something that catches our attention.
Try starting with rose-tinted lenses if you struggle with social situations and use your glasses as a “grounding object” to focus on during high-stress events.
Improves productivity
Good vision reduces the time and effort needed to complete tasks, as well as the likelihood of errors and the need for rework. Studies have shown that compromised vision can lead to a loss in productivity, with the annual cost of potential productivity losses caused by vision impairment and blindness amounting to $410.7 billion globally.
With vision correction through glasses and other eyewear, you’ll be better able to tackle tasks that require focus and precision and boost your work performance and productivity.
This increase in productivity not only boosts financial well-being but also enhances self-esteem. When individuals can perform their jobs more effectively and efficiently, they feel more competent and satisfied with their work. This sense of accomplishment and capability reduces stress and enhances overall happiness.
Final Thoughts
Glasses offer more than just improved vision; they play a significant role in enhancing mental health and overall well-being. As shown in the discussion, the right pair of eyeglasses can reduce stress, boost confidence, and improve daily functioning.
By addressing visual strain and supporting various aspects of life, glasses can transform how we experience the world. They provide clarity not only for our eyes but also for our mental state, helping us navigate social situations, perform better at work, and enjoy life’s activities.
Understanding these benefits highlights the importance of proper eye care and the impact it has on our mental and emotional health. Embracing the full range of advantages that glasses offer can lead to a more balanced, fulfilling life. For more on making the most out of mental health, be sure to check out the Blunt Therapy Blog.
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