INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You don't want to put the contact in your eye if it may cause irritation. Hold your contact near your eye and check it over for any damage or dirtiness. If your contact looks damaged, throw that contact away and use a new one. If you see any dust or debris on the contact, rinse it clean with contact solution. Most contacts are disposable, meaning you change them frequently. Depending on the type and brand of contact you're wearing, your doctor will likely tell you to change them daily, weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Always stick to this schedule and change your contacts as directed. This will help you keep your eyes healthy. Soft contacts are typically changed either every day, weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Extended wear contacts can be worn overnight, and they're typically changed weekly, biweekly, or monthly, depending on the brand and your individual needs. Rigid gas permeable lenses last much longer and may be worn for up to a year. However, your doctor will give you additional cleaning instructions for maintaining these lenses, which aren't prescribed often. Don't try to save money by wearing your contacts for too long. Your contacts were formulated to last for a certain period of time. After that point, they start to deteriorate, making them less comfortable and more likely to collect germs, bacteria, or debris that can harm your eyes. Taking off your contacts every night may seem like an inconvenience, but it's very important. Sleeping in contacts that aren't labeled for extended wear can dry out your eyes, expose your eyes to more bacteria, and lead to serious complications, like ulcers. Always remove your contacts at night unless your doctor tells you it's safe to sleep in them. If you have dry eyes, you may not be able to sleep in contacts even if they're approved for sleeping. Talk to your doctor if you think you have dry eyes. It's normal for a contact lens case to get dirty over time. To clean your case, bring a pot of water to boiling. Next, put the contact lens case into the boiling water and wait at least 3 minutes. Remove the water from the heat, then use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove the contact lens case from the water. Let the case cool before handling it. Finally, rinse it with saline solution before using it again. As an alternative, replace your case with a new one, which may be the safest option. Don't ever put your contacts in your mouth to clean them, as this will make them very dirty. Your saliva isn't sterile, and it will introduce germs and bacteria to your lenses. Similarly, tap water is also not sterile, and any bacteria or chemicals in the water will stick to your contacts. Additionally, both saliva and water will dry out your lenses. Always clean your lenses with a contact solution. It's helpful to carry a bottle of contact solution with you when you're out. You can even find a trial sized version to make it easier to fit in your bag. Most eye drops will dry out your contacts, even if they're labeled for treating dry eyes. If you want to moisten your eyes while you're wearing contacts, read the label to find out if the drops are safe for contacts. Eye drops that are safe to use with your contacts are typically kept near the contact lens solution at your local drug store. Otherwise, you can buy them online. Your contacts can easily get damaged in the shower because tap water and suds from your personal care products can get onto your lenses. This can dry out your contacts and leave behind residue and potentially harmful bacteria. Always remove your contacts before your bath or shower so that you contacts don't get ruined. If you wear your contacts in the bath or shower, you may develop an eye infection. Pools, waterways, and hot tubs contain bacteria, germs, and sometimes chemicals. Splashing water or water on your skin can get into your eyes and on your contacts, which may damage or contaminate your contacts. This can cause eye irritation or an eye infection. Instead, take off your contacts before you get into the water and wear your glasses. It's not safe to wear contacts you wore while swimming, even after you clean them. Although you might wear your contacts most of the time, you need to have a pair of backup glasses for times you aren't wearing them. Wear your glasses at night to give your eyes a break from your contacts. Additionally, wear your glasses if you're experiencing any eye irritation or think you may have an infection. Visit your eye doctor if you think you may have an infection. If you're worried about the cost of your backup glasses, look for a budget option. For instance, you can buy glasses online for as low as $6.95. Just ask your doctor to give you a copy of your prescription and to write your pupillary distance (PD) on it, which is a measurement you'll need to buy your glasses.

SUMMARY: Inspect your contact for rips, tears, or debris before putting it on. Replace your contacts according to your doctor's instructions. Sleep in your contacts only if your doctor approves it. Clean or replace your contact lens case every 3 months. Avoid using saliva or tap water to clean your lenses. Make sure eye drops are labeled for use with contacts. Remove your contacts before you take a bath or shower. Avoid swimming or using a hot tub while wearing your contacts. Keep a pair of back-up glasses in your current prescription.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Grab a pen and paper and start making three detailed lists about yourself. Make one list each for your strengths, achievements, and things that you value about yourself. This will help you focus on the positive aspects about yourself. You can also read the lists anytime for a quick self-esteem boost. Have a friend or family member help you. Read over your lists regularly to help remind you of how important you are. Remind yourself that you are valued and important by taking excellent care of yourself. Caring for your health and personal needs can help you to have a healthy amount of self-esteem and self-worth. Get enough sleep at night. Eat a healthy diet, getting plenty of fruits and vegetables while avoiding foods with high levels of fat and sugar. Exercise regularly to help you feel your best and stay strong and healthy. At least once a day, set aside time for an activity that you love doing. Whatever that activity may be, you can show yourself that you are important and deserve the freedom to do what interests you. Select a new hobby or activity that has always interested you and start doing it. Set goals to improve your skills in this new hobby and start working to meet them. This will allow you to remind yourself that you are capable and confident when meeting a challenge. Try learning how to play a musical instrument. Learn a new language that you find interesting. Try taking up a new sport or exercise program. A large part of our self-esteem comes from the people we surround ourselves with. Being around negative or critical people can cause self-doubt to arise. However, surrounding yourself with positive and energizing people can help make you feel important and valued. Gratefulness can remind you of what is important to you, your life, and the people who matter to you. Think about all of the people, whether it's friends or family, who hold you in high regard. Remembering gratefulness can help you remember that you are important. Work on building your self-esteem enough to realize how much you matter. Try doing a self-assessment of your talents. Write all the things you are good at, and how you use that talent in your daily life. For example, maybe you are a good listener, and you use that skill to be a good friend and to help people at work resolve company issues. Write down how you can use your skills to follow your dreams. For example, maybe you always dreamed of helping people and making a real contribution to their lives. You can use this skill to go to school to become a psychologist. This will make use of your natural talents of listening to people and your passion to help people.

SUMMARY:
Write down your strengths, achievements, and the things you love about yourself. Take good care of yourself. Do something you enjoy doing. Set new goals and challenges. Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself. Think about what makes you grateful. Learn to feel important to yourself.