As the year draws to a close, some individuals push themselves to meet annual performance targets by working excessive overtime and burning the midnight oil. Chronic sleep deprivation not only damages the liver but can also lead to dry eye syndrome or night blindness. When these symptoms appear, it's crucial to stop staying up late.
Four warning signs that signal you should stop burning the midnight oil
Symptom 1: Noticeable dark circles under the eyes
Dark circles indicate poor blood circulation, a sign of severe eye strain. Without proper rest or eye protection, this can cause serious damage to your eyes.
Symptom 2: Dull, lackluster skin
Prolonged sleep deprivation leaves skin pale, bloodless, and devoid of radiance. The complexion appears lifeless and sallow. Individuals exhibiting this should prioritize rest and absolutely avoid further late nights.
Symptom 3: Puffy Eyelids
Prolonged eye strain keeps the surrounding muscles contracted, causing tissue swelling. This dilates blood vessels around the eyes, leading to congestion and a puffy appearance.
Symptom 4: Noticeable Vision Decline
Chronic sleep deprivation deprives the eyes of adequate rest, leading to blurred vision and deterioration. This causes itchy, dry eyes and may even result in elevated intraocular pressure.
Which acupoints should be massaged after staying up late?
1. Sanyinjiao (SP6)
Located on the Spleen Meridian, daily massage of this point aids in treating weakened liver function and chronic hepatitis. Sit cross-legged on a chair, press the left Sanyinjiao point 50 times with your right thumb, then switch sides. Follow with 10 minutes of moxibustion for doubled efficacy.
2. Tai Chong (LR3)
This point aids detoxification. Massage it when experiencing heat symptoms caused by liver qi stagnation. Apply pressure from the top of the point downward about 30 times.
3. Dadu (LR1)
Massaging Dadu alleviates heavy menstrual flow and metrorrhagia. Sit cross-legged on a sofa and press the left Dadu point 30 times with your right thumb, then switch sides.
Friendly Reminder
To alleviate symptoms caused by staying up late, the best approach is to reduce such instances. Ensure adequate daily sleep, maintain balanced nutrition, and minimize late-night snacking.Before bed each night, soak your feet in warm water. Alternatively, consume peanut and jujube porridge to alleviate sallow complexion and fatigue caused by late nights. After one hour of screen time, perform eye exercises or gaze at green plants to relax eye muscles and prevent night blindness and dry eye symptoms.