Common Sense Advice for Protecting Your Senses
Posted On People who have all five senses functioning at their peak levels often take for granted just how lucky they are. It is only if one becomes damaged or you lose it all together do you truly appreciate what you had. That is why it is so important that you keep them all in good working order for as long as you can. Though there are no cast-iron guarantees, there are a few things that you can do to protect your senses.
Eyesight
Top of the list should be going in to have your eyes checked by a professional at least once every two years. If you already have vision problems, you could look for help with lasik eye surgery. Make sure to maintain regular exercise to cut the risk of age-related macular degeneration and also quit smoking to help prevent your degenerative retinal conditions. Studies have found that eating foods rich in antioxidants such as fruit and vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids such as fish can be very helpful. Make sure to always wear the correct protective equipment in potentially dangerous work and leisure activities. As well as this, you should reduce your exposure to harmful UV light by wearing certain types of sunglasses that offer extra protection against this.
Hearing
Avoid noisy environments as much as possible, and wear industrial-strength ear muffs if you are operating loud machinery. Also, don’t listen to music at a loud volume when you are wearing headphones. Be careful of cleaning out your ears with cotton buds as these can cause germs to enter the ear canal which can, in turn, cause infection. Consult with an audiologist if you notice changes such as a loss of hearing or you develop ringing in your ears.
Taste
If you have bad breath problems, this may not only be a problem for other people around you. It could be an indication that you have excess bacteria in your mouth which could lead to gum disease and even certain types of cancer. Try to improve your brushing and flossing routine. Also, limit your intake of acidic or sugary foods which can damage your overall oral health.
Touch
Your fingertips contain roughly 100 touch receptors, so make sure you take steps to protect your hands. Wear thermal gloves when you are handling hot food, and be especially careful when you are chopping up food. Ultimately, protective strategies are going to be your best way to protect your sense of touch.
Smell
Eating foods which are high in zinc such as lamb, yogurt and seafood have been found to be hugely important in protecting your sense of smell. Some studies have found that eating certain types of stimulating food such as curries, horseradish and cinnamon can arouse the trigeminal nerve which plays a big role in your sense of smell.
Making these simple adjustments to your lifestyle can really make all the difference when it comes to protecting all your senses and keeping them functioning well for as long as possible.
Featured image by Pexels/burak kostak
