8 Eye Relaxation Exercises That Actually Work to Improve Your Vision

  Last Updated on October 23, 2024 by Aaron Barriga

With every passing year, the number of people suffering from vision problems is increasing exponentially due to different reasons that range from loss of flexibility of distance vision to aging vision. While the culprit is partly aging, a major reason is the modern, sedentary lifestyle.

Constant working on computers, binge-watching TV series, use of fluorescent lighting, air conditioning, and lack of exercise – all of these habits exert additional strain on your eyes and cause blurry vision. So break your poor vision habits and start exercising for overall health because that will not only help you stay fit but also keep several eye diseases away.

Whether you want to prevent your eyesight from getting worse or don’t want to wear glasses shortly, following these eye relaxation exercises will dramatically improve your vision and reduce eye strain:

8 Top Effective Eye Exercises To Improve Eyesight

1. Blink Your Eyes More Often

Continued exposure to digital devices such as TV screens and the use of computers for extended periods leads to dry eyes and dry eyes cause headaches, eye strain, and blurry vision. When the eyes are absorbed in the screen, the blink rate drops from 20bpm to 6-8bpm.

So the next time you feel the eye strain, consciously blink your eyes and it will lubricate the eyes while refreshing your brain to process new visual data more efficiently. Additionally, you can breathe deeply to reduce overall stress and improve your focus.

2. Palm for Relaxed Vision Therapy

This is a highly effective eye relaxation technique that you can use every time your eyes feel tired and worn.

All you need to do is sit comfortably and cup your hands over the socket of your eyes to apply gentle pressure. Keep your eyes closed and stare into the dark space while staying focused in the distance. Hold the pressure till you see all the residual tones fade to black.

This eye relaxation exercise will work to reset your vision, lubricate your eyes, and allow your eyes to rest and relax from eye fatigue. Do this exercise for at least 30 seconds and relieve the stress around your eyes.

3. Trace an Eight

This eye exercise will increase the flexibility of your eye muscles and improve your vision. Visualize a gigantic 8 almost 10 feet away from you and turn it on its side. Now sketch it with your eyes slowly for a few minutes – first clockwise and then anticlockwise. Be perseverant with this and it will help maintain clear vision and reduce eye fatigue.

4. Roll Your Eyes

To perform these types of eye exercises, slowly roll your eyes to the right and then slowly shift your gaze to the left. Keep doing the same thing but in opposite directions. Then move your gaze in different directions by looking from right to left and then up and down and in a circular motion. You can also draw geometric figures with your gaze. Repeat the process of eye-rolling five to ten times.

5. Follow the 20-20-20 rule

To keep your eyes from getting tired at work, take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and focus on something that is located at least 20 feet away from you. This exercise helps prevent digital eye strain and eye damage in the long run, and it also relaxes your facial muscles, providing overall relief.

6. Focus on Objects Near and Far

People with glasses often get lethargic at gazing and this is a major reason they fail to maintain healthy vision. To do the near and far focus exercise you need to sit in a comfortable position, take off your glasses, and hold one of your thumbs close up and the other at your arm’s length.

Start by focusing on your thumb held close up, followed by the one that’s at your arm’s length, then focus on something that is sitting across the room, and finally on a distant object that is far away like across the road.

While you do this eye exercise make sure, all four points are situated along the same line of sight so the change in focus is subtle. Spend 2 seconds on every object and try to obtain a clear image of every item.

Doing these kinds of eye exercises like near-far focus to improve eye comfort will relax your eyes.

7. Do the Clock Exercise

This exercise helps your tired eyes feel better and can stop headaches and eye pain.

Picture a big clock in front of you. Move your eyes to where 6 would be then to where 12 would be without moving your head 

Next, move your eyes to the opposite pairs on the clock — 3 and 9, 4 and 10, 5 and 11, and so on. Look at each number for a second or two before moving to the next one. Do this for 4-5 minutes to alleviate eye strain.

8. Zooming

Start by holding your thumb and index finger together in a “pinch” gesture at arm’s length. Bring your finger and thumb slowly up to your face, focusing on your thumb’s tip until it gets hazy. Then, slowly return your arm to its maximum length while keeping your thumb in focus. Ten times through, repeat this workout.

Doing these eye exercises for several minutes every day will strengthen your eye muscles and improve your overall eye health naturally but the best way to be really sure that your eyes stay healthy is to visit an eye care professional regularly.