Exercises for those tired eyes while at work

Are your eyes tired? Do you feel like a headache is coming on? Let's face it, many of us stare at a computer screen for a good portion of our day. Over extended periods, this can cause a great deal of eye strain.

Our ancestors were hunters and gatherers. They spent the majority of their day scanning their environment while foraging, watching for predators, and hunting. Their eyes were frequently in motion, looking left and right, up and down, focusing near and far. Modern society and lifestyle have made our eyes lazy. We stare at computer screens or TVs for extended periods of time constantly focused on one spot. The eyes need exercise just like any other part of the body in order to stay healthy. The good thing about eye exercises is they are easy to do, require no equipment, and only take a couple of minutes to perform. You can even do them while sitting at your desk! Follow the suggestions below to help relieve that eye strain and reduce stress.

Every 2-3 hours move back from that computer monitor and focus on the following eye movements:

1. Sit in an upright position facing forward.
2. Without moving your head, look as far to the left as you comfortably can and hold for 3-5 seconds.
3. Now, look as far to the right as you comfortably can and hold for 3-5 seconds.
4. Alternate, looking left then right, an additional 4 times to each side. When finished, look back to center.
5. Repeat steps 2 thru 4, except this time look up then down (a total of 5 times each). When finished, look back to center.
   
6. Now, look up again and begin slowly moving your eyes in a clockwise motion, fully around your field of vision (Keep your head stationary). Repeat 4 times for a total of 5 revolutions.
7. Repeat step 6, except now move your eyes in a counter clockwise direction. Look back to center.
   
8. Finally, stick up your thumb and place it about a foot from your face.
9. Look at the tip of your thumb for 3-5 seconds, then shift your gaze and focus to the far wall in the room your are in for 3-5 seconds. Alternate, your focus from the tip of your thumb and back to the wall a total of 5 times. Remember to hold between each movement.
10. You're Done!
    

These eye exercises are very simple and easy to do. Once you get the pattern down, you can complete the whole cycle in about 2 minutes. Give it a try, but don't make fun of anyone at the office if you happen to walk by and notice them staring closely at their thumb!