Same Sunglasses, Different Reasons

Same Sunglasses, Different Reasons

Everyone should be familiar with the primary reason sunglasses are worn. Sunglasses protect your eyes from the sun, warding off long term effects of the sun's damage. However, what are some other reasons to wear sunglasses. Everyone has their own reasons, aside from the protection benefits, for wearing sunglasses.

Sunglasses, especially darker ones, help to create an air of mystery surrounding their owners. It is often difficult to carry on a conversation with a person wearing opaque shades. This mysterious, often intimidating look is a favorite for investigators, poker players, and police officers. When someone cannot see your eyes, it is difficult for them to tell what you are thinking.

Sunglasses are a fashion statement all their own. They are often the first thing that a person sees when they look at you. The shades you wear make a statement about you, so choose wisely. The sunglasses you pick out could mean the difference between telling the world that you are a fashion force to be reckoned with, or someone whose mom still picks out his clothes.

On a more somber note is a situation most of us ourselves in. Sooner or later, everyone loses someone in their life and there is a funeral to attend. Vanity should not be your first priority in this case, but there are certain measures you can take to help grieve with a little dignity. A carefully selected, tasteful pair of dark sunglasses will help mask the red and puffy eyes you may experience while crying. Remember when deciding which pair to wear for this particular occasion that elegance and taste are extremely important.

Whether it is allergy season or you pulled an all-nighter studying for finals, you don't have to cry to achieve the red, puffy-eyed look. Let's face it, everyone has stayed out a little too late the night before and awakened the next morning to see Frankenstein starring back at them in the mirror. Sunglasses come in handy for these reasons as well. They may be a telltale sign of a one-too-many night if you wear them in the office, so this would not be recommended. However, the sudden sensitivity to light you may feel when you step into the day for the first time can be cushioned with a good pair of sunglasses.

Athletes often find themselves playing their particular sport outside on a hot, sunny day. Unfortunately, there are no allowances in the rules for a baseball player that misses a fly ball because the sun blinded him. To help with athletic performance, certain sunglasses are made specifically for athletes. An aerodynamic design and wraparound shape hug the face and ensure the player sees every ball coming his way. The important detail for these sunglasses is size. They have to fit perfectly; otherwise they'll fall off while running, if too big, or cut off circulation in your face if they're too small.

One use for sunglasses has only recently been discovered. The next time you are flying overseas and want to avoid the taxing effects of jet lag, try putting a pair of sunglasses. Scientists have recently discovered that sunglasses help fool the body through the use of light. Your biological clock (which-as it turns out-is a real thing) consists of about 20,000 nerve cells that respond differently to light and dark. By wearing sunglasses for certain amounts of time during a long trip, you can lessen the effects of jet lag.

You see that there are many reasons to wear sunglasses. These reasons should not, however, overshadow the primary benefit. Sunglasses are protection for your eyes. They will help ensure you keep seeing the world the way it was intended. That is the best reason of all to pick up a pair today.

When NOT to Wear Sunglasses

When NOT to Wear Sunglasses

As with virtually anything else in life, there is a time an place for sunglasses. Most would agree that the benefits of protective eyewear are tried and true. Still, there are times and places that your sunglasses are not appropriate. Additionally, there are also times and places that they're just not going to do you any good.

The etiquette of eyewear is not a topic that is often discussed. We would all like to think that everyone would make the right decision in deciding when to take and when to leave behind the sunglasses. Still, there are obviously those that could use a little help on the subject. For those people, and as a reference for the rest of us, compiled here are just a few of the occasions in which sunglasses should be left in the car.

Wearing sunglasses indoors anywhere is almost always not appropriate. If you have a medical condition causing sensitivitety to artificial lights, you may be excused from this rule. To everyone else that insists on wearing shades indoors, you should know something crucial. The rest of us are watching you, waiting for you to walk into a wall or trip over a chair.

Socially, wearing your sunglasses indoors is often just plain rude. When you are trying to carry on a conversation with a person that is wearing sunglasses for no apparent reason, it can be rather distracting. While you may think that you are putting out the mystery-man vibe, you're actually just telling people you are not interested in what they have to say. If you plan to make it a habit of giving off this attitude, expect to receive the same in return.

Unless you are Corey Hart and need to "keep track of all the visions" in your eyes, sunglasses at night seem a little silly. For the same reason you should not wear sunglasses indoors, wearing them at night should be avoided as well. Again, you may think you look cool, but just about everyone else will think you're drunk or trying to cover up a black eye. Whether or not it is socially acceptable, sunglasses at night is just not a good idea.

Consider what a pair of sunglasses is meant to do for you. They are designed to shield your eyes from the violent radiation of the sun and make it more comfortable for you to see. While your efforts of protecting your eyes from the brightness of the street lights, you may be doing more harm than good. Logistically, it can be dangerous to wear dark shades at night, particularly while driving. Why inhibit your vision more than the darkness of the night already does? Find another way to tell people you're cool.

Some situations are acceptable times to wear sunglasses, but still carry rules to be considered. For example, you have been invited to a friend's house for a mid day barbeque. This is a perfectly good time to wear that great pair of sunglasses you got last week. However, if those sunglasses are completely opaque or mirrored on the outside, reconsider for something that shows off your eyes a little.

In a social gathering or setting, people will presumably strike up conversations with others they find interesting. It can be difficult to approach a new person and say hello. When that person is wearing dark, reflecting sunglasses, they may find themselves sitting alone watching everyone else mingle. For this circumstance, consider a shade of lens that protects your eyes and still allows your features to be seen. This will help you seem more approachable and less intimidating.

There are other times that you may want to wear sunglasses and social acceptability does not get in your way. You will not, however, enjoy any of the benefits of sunglass protection, as these high intensity lights are much stronger than the UVA and UVB rays emitted by the sun. Any kind of welding equipment, tanning beds and eclipses all emit high intensity light for which your sunglasses are no match. Special protective eyewear is needed while working with welding equipment and while in tanning beds. Additionally, a pinhole camera is the preferred apparatus for viewing an eclipse.

When deciphering where and when to bring the sunglasses, a little common sense will go a long way.
Protect yourself from high intensity light with specialized eyewear designed for that particular activity.
Know when sunglasses are needed and when they are not. Taking a moment to consider a few factors will save you embarrassment and possibly injury later.

Where and When to Wear Sunglasses

Where and When to Wear Sunglasses

You may have a favorite pair of sunglasses that goes great with a certain outfit. You might also have a tendency to wear a pair of sunglasses you just got religiously...for a week. Then you never pick them up again. Sunglasses do you no good on your dresser or in the visor of your car. It is important to wear sunglasses at all the appropriate and important times.

Of course, a blanket statement is to say that all sunglasses should be worn at all times during the day. Ideally this is great, but do you know why it is more important to wear them sometimes and other times not as pertinent? There are certain high risk activities, times, and locations that warrant special sunglass consideration. If you wear sunglasses no other time, these are the most important occasions.

Summertime is the most dangerous season for your eyes. You are at least three times more likely to cause serious sun damage to your eyes in the summer than you are in the winter. This is because the sun produces three times more ultraviolet radiation in the form of UVA and UVB rays during the summer than any other season. Aside from this, there are clear and obvious reasons you would want to utilize sunglasses more in the summer than the rest of the year.

The sun is out in full force during the hot summer months, and most people like to spend their free time outside when they can. The light and heat of the midday summer sun is enough to leave anyone reaching for the SPF 45. So if you are so protective of your skin, why wouldn't you be equally concerned about your eyes? Summer is the most important time for sunglasses to be worn. Make sure you have a trusted pair of shades before hitting the beach with July.

Some medications can cause people to experience photosensitivity. This heightened sensitivity to sunlight can cause increased discomfort if sunglasses are not in place. Medications to treat psoriasis, some birth controls and even pills for skin treatment can cause photosensitivity. When this happens, you won't have to be reminded to bring the sunglasses along. The inability to open your eyes for longer than ten seconds will let you know that it is time to go shopping for shades.

Winter sports enthusiasts often forget about the importance of sunglasses. When you are sailing down the mountain with the fresh cold air in your face, it is easy to forget that the sun is alive and well here too. Although the sun may not shine as brightly or produce as much heat as other times and places, the damage it causes can be the same or worse. The white of the snow reflects the harmful rays of the sun directly into your eyes if not properly protected by sunglasses. Some people will not realize until much later that their eyes have been burned, but it is not something they will soon forget.

Water sports are another occasion in which a dependable pair of sunglasses will save much hardship. While surfing, wake boarding or water skiing, you may be aware of the sun above you. However, what may not be as prevalent is the fact that the sun is reflecting off of the water and straight into your eyes. Just as it does with snow, the sun wreaks havoc on eyes unprotected by sunglasses.

It should go without saying that sunglasses are almost always a good idea. Any daytime outdoor event is an occasion for the sun to damage your eyes if you are not wearing sunglasses. Avoid a lifetime of suffering by making the right decision now. When you're headed outside for any reason and the sun is going to be attending also, grab the sunglasses. You'll thank yourself later.