5 Ways to Relieve Digital Eye Strain from Phone Screens

Are your eyes feeling tired? If you are experiencing eyestrain, close your eyes, count to 1-5, and read on.

     When we sit working in front of a computer screen, playing on a smartphone, or watching TV for extended periods, many people likely experience eye pain and discomfort. This happens because the eye muscles begin to fatigue or weaken from overuse. If we don't take care of our eyes or exercise them, these symptoms could get even worse.

5 Simple Eye Exercises to Relieve Eyestrain

• Roll your eyes in circles: Keep your head straight and neck upright. Roll your eyes counter-clockwise in a circle 10 times continuously, then switch to rolling clockwise 10 times continuously.
• Look up and down: Keep your head straight and neck upright without tilting. Look all the way up and all the way down (without moving your head or neck up or down). Do this 10 times continuously.

• Look left and right: Keep your head straight and neck upright. With eyes open, look as far left as possible, then look as far right as possible (without turning your head). Do this 10 times continuously.
• Rub both palms until warm: Then cup your hands over both eyes (keep your eyes closed) and leave them there for a moment. 

• Every 20 minutes, close your eyes for 20 seconds and look into the distance at least 20 feet away: Take your eyes off the screen to look at something else far away, or change posture to do something else.

“Eye exercises” not only help relieve eye fatigue, but also strengthen the eye muscles, promote good eye health, and allow you to use your eyes comfortably for a long time.