How to Rest Your Eyes: 10 Effective Tips for Daily Relief

The eyes are one of the most vital parts of the human body, serving as our windows to the world. While we often take our sight for granted, eye health is more important now than ever, especially since we are in a time where digital devices are a part of most of our lives. With more hours spent in front of computer screens whether working, using the Internet to find relevant study material, or catching up with entertainment, we all spend hours with our eyes glued to these screens. This prolonged usage leads to discomfort and eyestrain, so the eyes deserve special care.

Resting your eyes isn't a luxury but an almost basic well-being necessity. Do you know of ways to rest your eyes after a long day using screens? This article will give you answers by providing hands-on tips and techniques about how to rest your eyes. 

Importance of Relaxing Your Eyes

Letting your eyes rest properly is vital in multiple ways. Not only is it good for both your short- and long-term health, but it also allows you to perform more efficiently. To begin with, relaxing your eyes eases the eye strain caused by prolonged use of them, which can in turn lead to eye dryness, irritation, fatigue or worse headaches. Such discomfort can easily hamper your productivity and focus, even on simple tasks. In the long run, continuous eye strain might result in more serious health issues, such as blurred vision or increased sensitivity to light. 

Resting your eyes is important; it improves the quality of your daily activities as you work, study, or have fun and protects you from damaging your eyesight.

10 Tips and Exercises to Relax Your Eyes

As mentioned previously, the digital age, where screens dominate our daily lives, has put most of us at greater risk of getting eye strain. We put together ten effective tips and exercises to relax your eyes.

1. The 20-20-20 Rule
2. Palming 
3. Blinking
4. Figure Eight
5. Eye Rolling
6. Use Artificial Tears
7. Concentration Exercise
8. Eye Massage
9. Change Air Quality
10. Stay Hydrated

1.  The 20-20-20 Rule 

This easy and simple exercise, can help you relax your eyes while also reducing digital eye strain. The whole concept is pretty simple. Every 20 minutes, look away from your computer screen and fix your gaze on something that is 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This helps relax the eye muscles and prohibits all the discomfort caused because of continuous screen time.

To do the 20-20-20 method, you can follow these easy steps:

1. Set a Timer. You can set it using a timer or an app on your phone so that it reminds you to look away every 20 minutes.
2. Look Away. When the timer goes off, then shift your gaze away from your screen and point it at an object located at least 20 feet (roughly 6 meters) away. It could be that tree outside, the picture on the wall, or any distant point in your room. Fix your gaze on that object for 20 seconds. Let your eyes relax as you observe the details of the object you're looking at.
3. Blink Often: While you're concentrating on this far-away object, try to blink so your eyes moisten.

With this 20-20-20 rule, you can easily rest your eyes at work during the day and avoid eye strain while using digital devices.

2. Palming

Palming is a simple yet great way to relax your eyes. It is one of the easiest yoga exercises that you can perform in any place at any time just with your hands.

Here's how you do palming:

1. Find a Comfortable Spot. Sit comfortably in a quiet place where you can focus without distractions.
2. Warm Your Hands. Rub your palms together to warm them up. That will ease your eyes.
3. Place Your Hands. You now gently place your closed hands over your eyes. You should be gentle since you do not want to exert too much pressure. The palms should completely cover your eyes so that nothing else reaches them.
4. Relaxation and Breathing. You may take deep breaths. Let your body loosen itself, and the warmth may help keep the eyes shut. 
5. Hold for a Couple of Minutes. Stay like that for around 1 to 3 minutes, breathe, and let those closed eyes relax and get some rest.

By practicing palming regularly, you can relax your eyes, making it a quick and easy way to incorporate eye care into your daily routine.

3. Conscious Blinking 

Blinking is an involuntary activity that naturally moistens your eyes and makes them feel better. 

When staring at the screen for such a long time, you do not blink as frequently. Then, it dries out your eyes, which start to become sore. Notice how many times you blink so that you can relax your eyes and care for your eyes much better. This means that when you focus on something, like this screen, your brain is focusing on the task and often does not blink as much.

How to do proper blinking:

1. Put Reminders. If you find yourself staring at a screen for too long, set a reminder to check in with your blinking every few minutes.
2. Take a Deep Breath. Before you start, take a deep breath to help you relax your eyes and body.
3. Blink Slowly. Close your eyes gently and then open them slowly. Try to make your blinks deliberate and relaxed. This helps spread moisture evenly across your eyes.
4. Focus on Your Breathing. As you blink, focus on your breathing. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly, which can also help you relax.
5. Repeat Often. Aim to blink more frequently while you work or use screens. Make it a habit to take a moment to rest your eyes by blinking at least 10 times in a row every so often.

Conscious blinking gives a better chance at getting your eyes to be hydrated in the right manner through lesser dryness while having comfort in your screen working.

4. Figure Eight

The Figure Eight exercise is fun and effective in relaxing your eyes and increasing flexibility. This technique will help move your eye muscles in all directions, which is particularly useful after hours spent staring at a screen.

How to do the Figure Eight exercise:

1. Find a Comfortable Spot. Sit comfortably in a chair or stand in a quiet space where you can focus.
2. Focus Point. Visualize an enormous figure eight lying on its side (like the infinity symbol) in front of you. 
3. Eye Movement. Begin by placing your eyes at one end of the figure eight, and slowly trace out the curve in a controlled arc.
4. Follow the Pattern. Trace a figure eight using your eyes as you draw lines across your visual field. Up and to the right, then down and to the left, follow that line in this same manner for about 30 seconds. Alternatively trace the shape using a real object, like your finger or a pen and follow the object with your eyes.
5. Reverse the Direction. When you have completed one figure eight, switch the direction so you draw another one for another 30 seconds in the opposite direction.
6. Blink and Relax. Lastly, blink a few times to clean out your eyes and let your eyes relax at the end of the exercise.

Let Figure Eight become part of your routine and get relaxed and focused throughout the day by easing the pressure on your eyeballs.

5.  Eye Rolling

It is an eye exercise that would loosen the tension of the eyes, leading to relaxation. This method helps in flexing eye muscles for comfort and the lessening of stress.

Do this exercise with the following steps:

1. Find a Comfortable Position. Sit in a relaxed position, either at your desk or in a comfortable chair. Make sure you're in a quiet space where you can focus.
2. Take a Deep Breath. Take a deep breath and slowly exhale. This prepares your body and eyes for the exercise.
3. Start Rolling Your Eyes.  Look up and roll your eyes in one direction (e.g. clockwise) in slow motion for about 5-10 seconds.
4. Direction Change. Roll them again in the opposite direction now (e.g. counterclockwise) for the same amount of time. 
5. Blink Gently. When you have done the rolling, close your eyes and gently rub them several times to keep them fresh and relax your eyelids even more.
6. Repeat as Often as Necessary. You can do this a few times in the day, especially when your eyes feel tired.

Rolling your eyes every day enables you to give your eyes enough rest. As a result, there would be fewer chances for your eyes to feel aches and, therefore less strain in concentration.

6. Use Artificial Tears

Artificial tears are a good way to relax your eyes and relieve dryness after long screen use. They mimic natural tears, providing much-needed moisture for comfort in the eyes.

How to Use Artificial Tears:

1. Choose the Appropriate Product. Choose preservative-free artificial tears. This will be gentler on your eyes, especially if you plan on using them often.
2. Wash Your Hands.  Before you put the drops in, wash your hands to avoid introducing germs into your eyes.
3. Sit or Stand Comfortably. Sit or stand in a comfortable position. Lean your head back slightly. You can look up to the ceiling.
4. Open the Bottle. Unscrew the top of the artificial tears container. Do not touch your eye or any other object to the dropper end of the bottle.
5. Apply the Drops. Use one hand to pull down your lower eyelid, creating a small pocket. Squeeze the bottle with your other hand to let one or two drops fall into the pocket.
6. Close Your Eyes. After putting in the drops, close your eyes softly for a few seconds. This spreads the moisture evenly over your eyes.
7. Blink Slowly. This would also help redistribute the drop to your eye and ensure the eyes were well-hydrated.

Adding artificial tears to the routine effectively allows a resting period on the eyes with relief to dryness and makes a long session with the screens more bearable and easier to engage.

7. Concentration Exercise

A concentration exercise is just one simple way by which you can calm your eyes and bring a very sharp focus. This technique nudges you to shift your attention and energize your eye muscles, which can be helpful after you have sat for hours.

Here's how to do a concentration exercise:

1. Find a Quiet Space. Identify a comfortable, quiet space where you'll be able to focus on the exercise without distractions.
2. Select an Object. Choose something that is within arm's reach, such as a pen or a houseplant.
3. Pay Attention to the Object. Study that object closely for at least 20 seconds. Notice its textures, colors, and forms. That should activate your attention.
4. Shift Your Focus. Now shift your focus to a different object that is far away, like a picture on the wall or a view outside the window. Observe it for another 20 seconds.
5. Repeat the Cycle. Switch between the near and far objects for a few minutes. This oscillation between the two objects will help relax your eyes while developing the power of focusing.
6. Often Blink. Do not forget to blink during your eye exercise so that your eyes get enough moisture to feel comfortable.

Regularly practicing this concentration exercise would allow you to rest your eyes effectively and reduce strain, so it will make your vision clear throughout the day.

8. Eye Massage

Massaging the eyes is a very simple technique through which you can calm down your eyes and help ease out any tension in them. It is a really good practice to do once you have spent much time using screens as it promotes blood flow and relieves any discomfort.

Steps of doing eye massage:

1. Wash Your Hands. You should first wash your hands thoroughly to ensure they are clean before touching your face.
2. Find a Comfortable Position. Sit in a quiet, comfortable space where you can focus on relaxing your eyes.
3. Warm Up Your Eyes. Rub your palms together to create warmth and then place your palms softly over your closed eyes for a few moments. It will relax your eyes just before the massage.
4. Massage Time. Use your fingertips to massage the area surrounding your eyes. Pay close attention to the following regions: Under the Eyes, Lightly tap the area under your eyes with your  ring  fingers. Eyebrows, Press and rub along your eyebrows using light pressure. Temple, Massage your temples with circular motions to relieve tension.
5. End with Blinking.  Upon finishing the massage, look several times to refresh the eyes and keep them wet.

Alternatively, you can also massage your eyes with an eye massager device for even more effective relaxing of the eyes. Follow the instructions on the device, relax, and let the device lightly massage the area around your eyes.

You will find that with constant eye massages, you will be able to easily give yourself a smooth time relaxing the eyes and minimizing the eye strain when you are sitting in front of the screen.

9. Improve Air Quality

You could alter the air quality surrounding you to create a comfortable environment that helps relax your eyes and improves your well-being. Air quality contributes to dryness and irritation in the eye, especially when you stare at screens for hours on end. Here are simple ways to enhance air quality in your space. 

How to Change Air Quality:

1. Open Windows. Begin with opening windows to let air freshen up inside the house. This is to reduce indoor pollutants and enhance ventilation, making the air refreshing and invigorating to breathe.
2. Use Air Purifiers. If you do have an air purifier, turn it on because it can filter out dust allergens and other particles creating a cleaner environment for the eyes.
3. Add Plants. Indoor plants help in enhancing air quality naturally. Spider plants and peace lilies filter out toxic stuff and add moisture, so it's easy to breathe and helps calm the eyes.
4. Control Humidity. If the air feels dry in your space, get a humidifier for your space. Humidity in the range of 40-60% prevents dryness in your eyes and skin.
5. Take Breaks Outdoors. Sometimes it takes a few minutes just to step outside into the fresh air. This refreshes your mind as much as it recharges your eyes to rest and relax.

You can get started on making some simple adjustments to improve the air quality and create a more comfortable environment that can help you rest your eyes as well as feel more at ease throughout the day.

10. Stay Hydrated

Hydration can generally benefit you, and keeping hydrated can also greatly improve your comfort in the eyes. Proper hydration keeps moisture around your eyes, which helps prevent dryness and irritation caused by extensive screen time. 

Here is how to ensure you stay hydrated all day long:

1. Drink Water. Make it a point to consume at least eight 8-ounce (approximately 227 ml) glasses of water a day. Place a bottle of water at your desk or by your side so you're reminded to drink water regularly.
2. Reminders. You can also remind yourself by putting reminders on your phone or by setting up a timer that will remind you to drink a glass of water every hour. It will help you form a habit of staying hydrated.
3. Hydrating Foods. Have fruits and vegetables that have a lot of water content, such as cucumbers, oranges, and watermelons. These will hydrate your body.
4. Cut Down on Dehydrating Beverages. Try to limit your intake of caffeine and alcohol drinks because these drinks dehydrate the body. In case you must drink them, make sure to have much more water than you usually do.
5. Check the Color of Your Urine. You can easily identify whether you are well hydrated or not by checking your urine color. The light yellow color indicates you are well hydrated, but the dark yellow color indicates you need to increase your intake.

By prioritizing hydration, you can help keep your eyes moist and comfortable, making it easier to rest your eyes and stay focused on your tasks.

How to Relax Your Eyes for Lasting Comfort?

Relaxing the eyes involves different kinds of exercises and techniques, as mentioned above, but to relax the eyes effectively, massaging them can be particularly beneficial, especially when using an eye massager device. 

A particularly popular feature of eye massagers would be the heating element that serves to enhance the massaging experience. This is primarily because gentle warmth is induced around the eyes which has the effect of improving the circulation of blood to stimulate the relief of weary and dry muscles. Heating thus helps alleviate some common symptoms of digital eye strain, allowing you to look away from your monitor in comfort. As it penetrates this area, stress and puffiness melt with its warmth, giving that refreshed eyes look. 

An eye massager like the Eyeris 3 Eye Massager provides soothing relief to the tender muscles around your eyes, easing tension and discomfort. Additionally, an eye massager can create a calming experience on its own, with features tailored to promote relaxation and help you rest your eyes effortlessly.

It is essential to give your eyes time to rest to maintain the health of your eyes and the rest of your body, especially with our screen-dominated world. These 10 effective tips will help relieve stress and fatigue, allowing your eyes time to recover and refresh throughout the day. Just remember that regular breaks along with simple techniques for resting your eyes will take you a long way toward feeling much more comfortable and productive.

Here are more eye massagers: RENPHO Eye Massager