Some muscles in our bodies need some time to warm up before performing; but our eyes, from the moment we open them in the morning, are always on their A Game. Despite this, they are not meant to be staring at a computer screen all day. In this modern world, it’s important to exercise your eyes in focusing on various objects, rather than just one screen. Here are a few different types of eye exercises that you can try, depending on your needs.
Focus change
This exercise works by challenging your focus. It should be done from a seated position.
- Hold your pointer finger a few inches away from your eye.
- Focus on your finger.
- Slowly move your finger away from your face, holding your focus.
- Look away for a moment, into the distance.
- Focus on your outstretched finger and slowly bring it back toward your eye.
- Look away and focus on something in the distance.
- Repeat three times.
Near and far focus
This is another focus exercise. As with the previous one, it should be done from a seated position.
- Hold your thumb about 10 inches from your face and focus on it for 15 seconds.
- Find an object roughly 10 to 20 feet away, and focus on it for 15 seconds.
- Return your focus to your thumb.
- Repeat five times.
Figure eight
This exercise should be done from a seated position as well.
- Pick a point on the floor about 10 feet in front of you and focus on it.
- Trace an imaginary figure eight with your eyes.
- Keep tracing for 30 seconds, then switch directions.
20-20-20 rule
Eye strain is a real problem for a lot of people. Human eyes are not supposed to be glued to a single object for extended periods of time. If you work at a computer all day, the 20-20-20 rule may help prevent digital eye strain. To implement this rule, every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.