Our eyes are important organs that contribute to overall well-being but are often not prioritised. Whether for work or entertainment, many people force their eyes to work overtime by staring at screens for hours or straining them under poor artificial lighting. The constant pressure on the eyes can lead to several issues that worsen over time. Some people experience eye fatigue; others experience dryness. In some cases, some people damage their vision because they pressure their eyes to work in unfavourable conditions. Prioritising your eyes means giving your eyes adequate rest, visiting an ophthalmologist regularly, and consuming nutrients that support your eyes.
Another effective way to care for your eyes is by incorporating yoga practices that reduce eye strain. By doing simple asanas in the morning, your eye muscles can strengthen, your circulation will improve, and so will your vision. Here are seven yoga asanas that can improve your eyes.
1. Palming—The Instant Eye Relaxer
If your eyes feel tired, you can soothe them with the palming technique. This simple technique effectively reduces eye strain and provides relaxation by calming the optic nerves.
All you need to do is generate heat with your hands by rubbing your palms together. When they are warm, gently cover your eyes with your palms. Avoid putting pressure on your eyes and take breaths. Relax like this for a minute and repeat the technique 2-3 times for optimal relaxation.
2. Blinking Exercise—Hydrate and Refresh
Your eyes may feel dry after staring at screens for hours. You can combat this by doing the blinking exercise, preventing digital eye strain. This technique simply involves you blinking your eyes, which maintains the moisture in your eyes.
Take a few minutes to lubricate your eyes by consciously blinking every 3-4 seconds. You should do this for a minute while sitting upright comfortably. Afterwards, close your eyes for 30 seconds and relax.
3. Eye Rotations (Chakra Kriya) – Boost Flexibility
Fatigue sometimes occurs when your eyes are straining to look at something. You can reduce fatigue while improving your focus with eye rotation exercises. This practice is also great for enhancing flexibility and control of your eye muscles.
This simple technique requires you to look upwards while sitting and slowly rotate your eyes clockwise for a few seconds. Afterwards, you can rotate your eyes anticlockwise and repeat the process for a minute.
4. Trataka (Gazing Meditation) – Sharpen Your Vision
You can improve your eye health by incorporating a centuries-old yoga practice called Trataka. This technique is effective for making your eye muscles stronger. It is also good for enhancing your concentration. This is achieved by focusing on an object.
The object you need is a lit candle, which should be placed at eye level. Focus on the flame without blinking for as long as you can and then close your eyes. You should try to visualise the flame with your eyes closed. You can do this technique for 3-5 minutes to improve focus and eye endurance.
5. Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breathing) – Relieve Stress and Strain
The last technique on our list to improve your eye health is Bhramari Pranayama. This is a breathing technique that helps to calm the nervous system. It also reduces tension that can affect your eyes and reduce strain.
To do this technique, you need to sit comfortably with your eyes closed and inhale deeply. When you are exhaling, you should hum like a bee. You can repeat this technique for 5-7 rounds to promote relaxation and improve circulation.
Final Thoughts
The more you do these techniques, the better your eyes will feel over time. Combining these techniques with other healthy practices that support your vision will improve your eye muscles, reduce strain and fatigue, improve focus, and enhance your overall vision.