During winter, it can seem impossible to keep every part of your body covered and protected from the elements. Just like your hands need gloves, and you need snow boots to keep your feet toasty, there are things that you can do to keep your eyes healthy during the winter as well. Whether you’re living in a humid climate, or dealing with snowstorms, check out these 5 easy things you can do this winter.

Stay Hydrated

It may seem like a no-brainer, but make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids, especially water. When the temperatures are dropping and winds are blowing hard, it’s easy for your eyes to lose moisture. Without proper hydration, your eyes may feel dry, sandy, or just plain uncomfortable. Drinking at least eight ounces of water every few hours is an easy way to keep hydration at the front of your mind. Pick up a water bottle that you like, and make sure to fill it up when it’s getting low. It may seem difficult at first, but drinking water will soon become a habit you may even enjoy.

Stock up on sunglasses and eyewear protection

There’s a lot of incredibly fun activities to indulge in when it’s cold and snowy outside. Ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, and tubing are just some of the activities we all love. If you know you’ll be spending a lot of time outside, make sure you have proper eyewear protection. It may not feel like it, but the sun is still beating down on you during the winter, and harmful UV rays could be bouncing off the snow into your eyes. If you wear contacts, make sure you’re using sunglasses that protect against 100% of all UV rays. For those that wear eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses are an easy way to stay protected, and still look great.

Apply Eye Drops When Needed

Chronic dry eye is nothing to joke about, but for those that suffer from seasonally dry eyes, artificial tears and eye drops are great tools to have in your arsenal. In the winter, it’s normal for everything from your hair to your skin to get drier, and that includes your eyes. If they start feeling too dry, eye drops are a really easy way to add some extra moisture. Combining liberal use of eye drops and extra hydration through drinking water can make an immense difference during dry winters.

Stay Away From Direct Heat Sources

Staying warm all winter is important, but there are smart ways to do it. If you’re staying inside, make sure to stay away from fire places. You can stay warm even if you’re not directly in front of a fireplace inside. Fireplaces can dry out your eyes and skin, so keeping some distance is a smart way to stay toasty. The same goes for outdoor fires. Don’t stand too close, as the smoke from the fire can aggravate delicate eyes and dry them out if you’re not at a safe distance.

Talk To Your Doctor If Dry Eye Becomes A Problem

If you’re following these tips and your eyes still feel dryer than the Sahara, it may be time to talk to your eye doctor. Dry eye is an incredibly common condition that millions of Americans are diagnosed with each year. Although there’s no cure, dry eye can be managed with prescription medications and artificial tear drops. Don’t let winter get the best of you this season; make the smart choice and schedule a time to talk about your eye health instead.