Spending a ton of time looking at close screens? Cell phones, tablets or computer monitors, just to name a few, are part of our daily lives. Just like brushing your teeth, take care of your eyes with some simple exercises which may help to destress your tired eyes.
Eye Rolling
- Gaze as far up as possible, to the right, down and to the left. Imagine tracing a giant circle.
- Continue with 3 times in this clockwise direction. Going slowly. Just moving the eyes and not the head/neck.
- Close eyes and rest.
- Repeat your rolling in the opposite direction (counter-clockwise).
Palming
- Rub your hands together to warm them up.
- Cup your hands and place them over your closed eyes.
- Hold for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Tip: You can also purchase a microwaveable eye compress. I purchased mine from Amazon. Search for “Bruder Moist Heat Eye Compress”. Microwave for around 20 seconds and hold on your eyes for up to 5 minutes. Great for dry or irritated eyes.
- Even just closing your eyes without using the hands or compress gives them a great break.
Focus Shifting = Two Ways!
Side to Side
- Extend your right arm out as far as possible. Thumb up.
- As you move your arm to the left, follow the thumb with your gaze. Then slowly move the same arm to the right (great peripheral vision test).
- Go back and forth 3 times. Go slow. Try to not move the head/neck.
- Close eyes and rest.
- Repeat with left arm extended out this time.
Near and Far
- Extend your arm (pick your favorite side). Thumb will again be the focus, but know you can do this with your toothbrush or cereal spoon. Try to work these into your daily routine.
- Follow the thumb as it goes in towards your nose. Small pause.
- Then follow your thumb as you extend your arm out as far as possible. Small pause.
Look outside a window
- The simplest thing you can do is to give your eyes a break, multiple times during your day, to look at something far. It can be across the room or out a window.
- If you are watching TV, do this during each commercial break. If working, each time you get a phone call or before & after each meeting.