Our eye health is important for our general health, and having poor eyesight can have a negative impact on our quality of life. Eye problems, on the other hand, are quite frequent, and individuals who live long enough are certain to have at least one throughout their lifetime, according to WHO.
Reduced vision can be caused by diabetes, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, corneal infections, and trachoma. Because we spend so much of our time riveted to screens during pandemics, eye problems are on the rise.
Many children have also reported an increase in vision-related issues as a result of increased screen usage from online classes and leisure screen watching. Eye exercises can help with exhaustion and fatigue caused by eye strain.
These exercises can also help with concentration and awareness. Yoga and Ayurveda Lifestyle Specialist Namita Piparaiya, Founder – Yoganama, recommends three activities to improve eyesight.
Palming techniqueRub your palms together vigorously until they are warm, then cup your eyes gently to create a hollow dark space around them.
Allow only a small amount of light to enter between the palms and gaps in the fingers, and sit here with your eyes closed for a few moments, savouring the sensations.
You can lower your hands once the warmth in your hands has faded away, but keep your eyes closed.
Repeat two more times, and then gradually open your eyes with a few soft blinks after the last effort.
This is a wonderful technique that can be readily applied at work and is really calming for the eyes. Take a little palming break if you’ve been staring at your computer screen for a while and observe the change in your vision, alertness, and stress levels.
Sideways rolling
These are basic yet incredibly effective eye exercises that have been around for a long time.
Hold a pen, a pencil, or your index finger out in front of you at eye level to complete them.
Take a few deep breaths while focusing on the tip of your finger or the tip of your pen.
Now we’ll begin sideways movement; keep your focus on the same location as you move your hand.
Slowly move your hand sideways, right and left, without moving your neck, as you continue to follow your object of focus with your eyes.
Repeat 5-10 times and then take a break.
Rolling exercises can also be done in a full circular motion; simply roll your eyes as though tracing a wide circle.
Distant gazing
This is very good for the eyes which often spend a lot of time focussing minutely on small screens or objects in front of us. So, give them a little variety by looking far into the distance, not focussing on anything in particular.
Maybe step outside or by a window and see as far as the eyes allow you to see. This can also be done while walking, allowing the eyes to drift naturally, without focussing on anything in particular. This is not only good for the eyes, but also for our brain, and our learning capabilities.
