Wednesday Health & Wellness

Why Are My Eyes Puffy Every Morning? 🤓

Let’s talk about it.

I wake up almost every morning with puffy eyes.

Not dramatic.

Not allergic-looking.

Just… swollen.

I’m not crying myself to sleep.

I’m not up all night partying.

I just wake up and think, “Well, good morning, fluid retention.”

So what’s actually going on?

Why Puffy Eyes Happen in the Morning

The most common reason is simple: fluid accumulation.

When we lie flat for hours, fluid naturally pools in the face. The skin around the eyes is thin and delicate, so even a small amount of swelling shows up fast.

Other common reasons include:

• High sodium intake the night before (hello, salty snacks)

• Dehydration — yes, your body holds onto water when it thinks it’s not getting enough

• Allergies (even mild ones)

• Lack of sleep

• Aging skin — tissues weaken and fat can protrude more easily

This isn’t vanity.

It’s physiology.

What Actually Helps

Here’s what makes a difference:

• Cold compress – a chilled spoon or washcloth constricts blood vessels

• Elevating your head at night with an extra pillow

• Reducing sodium in the evening

• Hydrating consistently during the day

• Gentle tapping massage along the orbital bone to encourage drainage

• Managing allergies if that’s a trigger

Sometimes it’s as simple as giving your body a few minutes upright before judging your reflection.

A Little Perspective

At 65+, my skin doesn’t bounce back like it did at 25.

That’s not a flaw.

That’s biology.

Instead of getting annoyed at my puffy eyes, I’ve started asking:

What is my body telling me?

Did I hydrate enough?

Did I eat too much salt?

Did I sleep flat?

Am I stressed?

Puffy eyes aren’t just cosmetic.

They’re feedback.

And the goal isn’t perfection.

It’s awareness.

If you wake up with puffy eyes too, you’re not alone.

Give your body a little grace.

A little cold compress.

And maybe a little less sodium at dinner.

— Lady Flava 🌻👀