Between the harsh winter winds and the dry heat radiating inside, our eyes can suddenly feel irritated and scratchy this time of year. In fact, exposure to these atmospheres can cause moisture to evaporate inside our eyes. As a result, our tear glands cannot adequately produce the fluid needed to maintain the eyes’ protective, liquid coating. The result is itchy, dry eyes that can cause pain, blurred vision, a burning sensation or even watery vision as our eyes try to compensate for the dryness.

While it is difficult to avoid dry eyes altogether during the winter months, there are several steps that you can take to ensure your eyes stay soothed while indoors this season.

Help for the home

During the frigid winter months, a home’s humidity level can easily dip below the 30-55 percent range required for our eyes to stay lubricated. Offset this dry air by using a humidifier in your home. An alternative is leaving off the exhaust in your bathroom while you shower.

Also, refrain from using a ceiling fan while sleeping at night, as drafts can also exacerbate symptoms. To keep this culprit in check, light a match in the room you are in to find where the draft is located.

Fill up on fluids

Even mild dehydration can negatively affect how dry your eyes feel, as cold temperatures can dampen the body’s thirst mechanism and artificial heat hastens tear evaporation. Keep eyes hydrated by sipping water throughout the day. Also, increase your intake of fluid-rich foods like soup, fruits and veggies. Adding a cup of hot tea or water with lemon can not only keep you cozy on a chilly day, but ensure proper hydration as well.

Nourish your body

Many clinical studies show omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered essential fatty acids, may protect adult eyes from dry eye syndrome. Omega-3s support healthy tear production and keep eyes moisturized. In addition to omega-3s, other ingredients like Vitamin A, D3, green tea and evening primrose oil can significantly accelerate the time it takes to feel relief. A formula like EyePromise EZ Tears, which contains nine soothing ingredients to target symptoms from the inside, offers rapid results with the dietary ingredients mentioned.

Watery eye help

In cold and windy conditions, many complain their eyes water more than normal. Typically the symptoms of watery eye are excessive tearing, which is made worse by being outdoors. Wearing spectacles will provide protection against the wind, even if you don’t usually wear them outdoors. In some cases, excessive watering of the eyes may be a sign of a blockage of tear ducts or infection of the eye.

If you are concerned about the health of your eyes — whether tear production is suboptimal or you suffer from watery eyes, visit your optometrist. Your eye care professional will be able to advise you on the best course of action.

*BPT

The post Winter Woes: Dry Eye more prevalent in Cold Weather appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Keep Your Little Ones Warm, Cozy and Healthy with These Cold Weather Suggestions

Baby it’s cold outside and we still have months of cold weather ahead of us! Keep your little one warm, comfortable and healthy during these cold weather months with cozy and practical items from PishPoshBaby.com, Prince Lionheart, Feltman Brothers, The Ollie Swaddle and Kinsights.com.

PishPoshBaby.com:

Your one-stop shop for everything baby, PishPoshBaby.com offers accessories to keep little ones warm on-the-go such as (pictured left to right, top to bottom) the Tivoli Couture 4 in 1 Miracle Wrap ($88.99), JJ Cole Extendable Polar Bundle Me ($119.95), JJ Cole Urban Bundle Me ($44.95), and JJ Cole Lite Bundle Me ($24.95).

Moms and dads can also keep their hands comfortable and warm with the Baby Jogger Handmuff ($39.99) from PishPoshBaby, with a super soft interior and weather resistant exterior.

PishPoshBaby.com also offers in-home accessories to keep children healthy during these cold and flu months such as (pictured top and bottom) the Crane Adorable Cool Mist Humidifiers ($44.99) available in a variety of animals so you can match your nursery or pick your kid’s favorite; and the Duux Air Humidifier Mushroom ($64.95) which also doubles as a nightlight.

Prince Lionheart:

Family owned and operated, Prince Lionheart was started with three core beliefs – quality, innovation and outstanding service – that still hold true today as a popular baby and children’s product company available in major retailers such as Target, Walmart and Toys R Us.

Household and hygiene products for your kids can be uncomfortably cold, but they don’t have to be with these handy wipes warmers that will make sure baby’s buns stay nice and warm even during diaper changes, (pictured left to right) Compact Wipes Warmer, Wipes Warmer Pop and Warmies Wipes Warmer.  

Feltman Brothers:

Feltman Brothers provides traditional heirloom baby clothes for special occasions such as holidays, christenings, newborn gifts, family or birthday parties and Sunday church wear. The brand is renowned for its timeless, classically styled, handcrafted baby designs. Feltman Brothers is a family business three generations deep with a commitment to lasting quality and a passion for creating beautiful, elegant baby fashions and gifts that are passed down from generation to generation.

Adorable handmade clothing for the winter months include sweater sets such as (pictured left to right) Boys 3 Piece Sweater Set with Grey Trim ($58.99), Newborn Heather Grey Cable Knit Sweater Set ($61.95) and Girls 3 Piece Sweater Set with Bows ($62.95).

Cardigans are a great way to keep your little one fashionable warm such as (pictured left to right, top to bottom) the Girls Pink Cardigan with Bows ($45.99), Boys Cable Knit V-Neck Cardigan ($37.99), Boy’s Hooded Cable Cardigan ($34.99) and Cardigan with Cable Rose Bullions ($35.99).

Little feet need to stay cozy and warm, too, making these knit booties perfect! (pictured left to right, top to bottom) Boys Knit Bootie with Strap ($29.95), Girls Knit Bootie with Strap ($29.95) and Grey Knit Booties ($29.95).

Little heads can also keep warm with (pictured left to right) the Crocheted Flowers Hat ($19.95) and Heather Grey Hat with Rolled Edge($19.95).

Also super snuggly and warm is the Jacquard Knit Blanket ($62.95).

The Ollie Swaddle:

Everyone loves babies, especially ones that sleep peacefully. Babies love being swaddled and sleep peacefully and longer when all snuggled up in a cozy swaddle, perfect when home furnaces are having a hard time keeping bedrooms warm. This is a win for both the parents and baby when using the award-winning The Ollie Swaddle ($48)!

The Ollie Swaddle was named after and invented for a baby boy named Oliver, a foster baby that wasn’t thriving until Ollie Swaddle founder (and his foster mom) Hindi developed The Ollie Swaddle. It improves quality and duration of sleep for all babies (including preemies and high risk), reduces fussiness and helps babies self-calm. Its elasticity allows for freedom of movement, while the opening at the bottom makes it easy to change diapers. The custom developed moisture wicking material reduces overheating promoting physiological regulation. Perfect for ages 0-4 months.

Kinsights.com:

Cold weather means lots of cold and flu going around, and you never know when or where your little one might get sick. With Kinsights, you have the ability to store and keep track of your kids’ complete medical information, in a completely secure and free manner. Both parents have quick and easy access to this information, and you can also export and print it so you can have it on hand when you’re traveling or to pass along to a sitter, grandparent, or new doctor.

Being an online community, parents can also easily get helpful advice from other parents on what to do when your kids get sick.

The post BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE! appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Winter can be a wonderful season: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Valentine’s Day all fall in one three-month period. However, aside from its delightful holidays, the winter days are shorter, nights are longer, and depression is more common, especially among those who are already prone. There is no need to fret, however, because natural solutions: light, candles, scent, and a little bit of love.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Depression is more common in the winter months, and is especially more common among women between the ages of 20 and 40. There is a disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD (appropriately named). Symptoms can include, but are not limited to: fatigue, lack of interest in normal activities, social withdrawal, craving foods high in carbohydrates, and/or weight gain.

Exercise

It is common knowledge that exercise does not simply keep your body fit, but your mind as well. A healthy diet and a regular exercise schedule can keep a person above the almost inevitable sadness that sets in during the darker, winter months.

If you are going to run or walk outside, be sure to bundle up and bring music along with you to combat the cold. Indoor exercise is, of course, also an option: fitness DVDs and yoga are two simple ideas.

Light Box Therapy

For many, the woes of winter include being stuck in the house because of cold temperatures and several inches of snow on the ground. A light box is a simple idea that provides a small but bright light sources and the vitamin D necessary for your body. Although many could argue that it does as well as the lights in your home, it is much more calming – much like a nightlight or a candle to read by – and is a good solution in combatting SAD. Try a Philips Golite Blu Energy Light – Portable Light Therapy Device.

Aromatherapy and Candles

Another simple approach to adding more light and happiness into your home during the winter months comes with candles, oils, and other forms of aromatherapy. Candles do not provide as much light as the sun or as a light box, but the scents can help keep you in a steady mood. One idea is to light candles that have scents that calm you: apple pie, pine, flowers or fresh laundry.

It is not always easy to understand the darker feelings that some of us are susceptible during the winter months, but there are simply and timed solutions. There is no reason to believe that the light has gone out when it is as easy as connecting lit match to a scented candle.

Resources

‘Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)’: http://www.psychiatry.org/seasonal-affective-disorder.

‘Light Box Therapy’: http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/LightTherapy.htm

‘Aromatherapy’: http://www.rockymountainoils.com/learn-more/aromatherapy/benefits/

‘Aromatherapy’: http://www.encognitive.com/files/Aromatherapy%20for%20SAD.pdf. 

The post Keep Warm (and Happy) this Winter appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Coats are a year round staple in San Francisco. Depending on the fabric weight, cut and color, you can find yourself wearing a coat in any of the Bay Area’s four seasons.

Here are five tips to finding a high quality coat that you will wear for many seasons to come.

1. The quality of the fabric is of utmost importance. One of the best materials for warmth and style is wool. Melton, a dense felted wool fabric, is one of the preferred fabrics for a coat. Melton is treated with heat and pressure to bind fibers together which makes it wind-resistant. Wool melton delivers comfort, warmth and elegance with a beautiful yet structured drape. Often wool melton fabrics are combined with a small amount of nylon for extra durability. Test the “hand” of the fabric or how it feels when touched. A high quality wool garment should be soft to the touch and not itchy or scratchy.

2. A coat should be well stitched. The top stitching should be clean, straight and evenly spaced. The seams should match and any pattern lines should line up.

3. Well-made coats include details made with luxurious materials like genuine leather, high quality zippers or buttons and breathable linings. Coats that are lined will hang better and last longer.

4. On the interior of the coat, high-quality coats are manufactured with a fusible that reinforces certain parts of the interior of the garment. This fusible will prolong the life of the garment as well as maintain its shape over the years. A coat should have a gusset or pleat on the back lining to allow freedom of arm movement and bending.

5. As for styling, look for a coat that is flattering to your shape. Make sure the sleeves are long enough so it looks like it was made for you, hitting you below your wrist and above the base of your thumb. Color is important, especially if you are looking for a coat to take you through several seasons. A neutral dark color is the most versatile. It can take you from day to night with a few accessory changes.

Available at jamytarr.com

Product photos courtesy of J’Amy Tarr 

The post 5 Tips to Finding a Great Winter Coat appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.