Optical Health: 7 Eye Exercises To Relax your Eyes During Study Breaks

Eye Care Exercises: How to take care of your Eyes During Long Study Sessions

If you are a student in high school, you’ve probably become accustomed to hours-long study sessions. Extended periods of studying from or working on digital devices can strain your eyes, leading to eye fatigue and decreased concentration on a daily basis, as well as serious damage to the eyes in the long term. To maintain your eye health and enhance focus, incorporating regular eye exercises into your scheduled study breaks is essential. Expanded below are four effective eye exercises that you can try during your study breaks to refresh your eyes and simultaneously improve your levels of productivity.

(1) Palming:

Palming is a simple and yet effective eye exercise that helps to relax and rejuvenate tired eyes, particularly after several hours of the use of digital devices.

How to do it:

• Sit comfortably with your elbows resting on a table or desk.
• Close your eyes and cover them gently with your palms, ensuring no pressure is applied to your eyeballs.
• Relax your shoulders and take deep, slow breaths.
• Visualise a soothing image, such as a serene landscape or a favourite memory.
• Continue palming for 1-2 minutes, allowing your eyes to rest and recharge.

(2) Blinking:

Extended screen time often leads to a decreased blink rate, causing dry eyes and discomfort. Blinking exercises can help restore moisture and prevent eye strain.

How to do it:

• Sit in a relaxed position.
• Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
• Open your eyes wide and blink rapidly for 20 seconds.
• Close your eyes again and relax for a few seconds.
• Repeat this exercise 3-4 times, ensuring each blink is purposeful and vigorous.

(3) Near-Far Focus:

This exercise helps alleviate eye strain and improves flexibility of the eye lens in focusing between near and distant objects.

How to do it:

• Choose a focal point around 10-20 feet away from you.
• Focus on the chosen point for 10-15 seconds, taking in its details.
• Shift your focus to an object or text that is closer, around 6-8 inches away.
• Concentrate on the nearby object for another 10-15 seconds.
• Alternate between focusing on the distant and nearby objects, repeating the process 5-6 times.
• Take short breaks in between to blink and relax your eyes.

(4) Eye Rolling:

Eye rolling exercises help relieve tension in the eye muscles, improving blood circulation and reducing eye strain.

How to do it:

• Sit comfortably and relax your facial muscles.
• Look straight ahead and slowly roll your eyes clockwise in a circular motion.
• Complete 5-7 rotations in one direction.
• Pause for a moment, then roll your eyes counterclockwise for the same number of rotations.
• Take a deep breath and close your eyes, allowing them to rest for a few seconds.
• Repeat the exercise 2-3 times, focusing on smooth and controlled eye movements.

(5) Figure Eight Tracing:

Figure eight tracing helps improve eye coordination and strengthens the eye muscles.

How to do it:

• Visualise a large figure eight (∞) horizontally or vertically.
• Use your eyes to trace the figure eight pattern slowly and smoothly.
• Repeat this exercise in both directions for a few minutes.
• Take breaks and blink in between repetitions to relax your eyes.

(6) Eye Massage:

Massaging the eye area helps relieve tension and promotes blood circulation.

How to do it:

• Gently close your eyes and use your fingertips to massage the areas around your eyes in circular motions.
• Massage your temples, eyebrows, and the area under your eyes.
• Apply gentle pressure but avoid pressing too hard.
• Perform this massage for a minute or two, then open your eyes and relax.

(7) Distance Gazing:

This exercise allows your eyes to rest and relax by focusing on distant objects.

How to do it:

• Look out of a window or go outside and find a distant object, such as a tree or a building.
• Gaze at the object without straining your eyes for a few minutes.
• Take deep breaths and let your eyes rest as you enjoy the view.

Prioritising the health of your eyes during study sessions is crucial for maintaining focus and productivity. By incorporating these simple yet effective eye exercises into your study breaks, you can alleviate eye strain, reduce fatigue, and enhance concentration. Remember to take regular breaks, practise good posture, and adjust the lighting to create a comfortable study environment. Your eyes will thank you, and you'll be better equipped to tackle your studies with renewed clarity and vitality!