What is the first thing you do when you wake up? No, the answer isn’t brush your teeth or eat almonds soaked overnight in water. The first thing you do when you wake up from sleep is that you open your eyes. That simple action turns on a switch that activates your body and brain. Your day is literally kick-started by these small delicate organs which sit near the brain.
Millions of light-sensitive cells called rods and cones in the retina of the eye gauge the world around you and help you make decisions that impact your life. The muscles and nerves that support the eye are constantly working. Looking at a monitor the whole day, reading, writing or unwinding by watching television stress the eyes and weaken the muscles. It isn’t surprising that many people have eye-related issues including headaches, blurred vision, itching, pain, dark circles and burning sensations.
The eyes need to be given regular breaks from work. Doing so not only alleviates discomfort but also ensures that your eyes stay healthy through your life. The following routine can be done a number of times during the day to relax and refresh your eyes.
The Palming and Clock RoutineIf you wear glasses, take them off.
Sit on a chair that supports your back well.
Relax your shoulders and bring your chin parallel to the floor.
Close your eyes and keep your forehead relaxed.
Rub your palms together till they become warm and place them over your eyes for a few seconds.
This technique is called palming and the warmth and darkness generated by your palms help the muscles and nerves of the eyes relax.
Put your hands on your knees.
Visualise a gigantic clock in front of you.
Now, without moving your head move your eyes towards the 12 ‘o’ clock position. Stay here for one count and move slowly towards the three ‘o’ clock position, then onto the six ‘o’ clock and nine ‘o’ clock and back to 12 ‘o’ clock.
Do not blink through this movement.
Close your eyes for a few seconds and repeat this clockwise four times.
Now do this counter-clockwise five times.
Finish this routine with another round of palming.
