Eye strain is common in digital artists since we’re all staring at the screen for long hours. Here are a few simple eye exercises that are easy to do and can be performed anywhere. These help in preventing and relieving eye strain and stress significantly, something I need to do regularly as a digital storyboard artist who is often glued to my tablet screen.
1. Flexing
Face forward and look straight ahead. Look up without moving your head and then look down. Do this 10 times. Next without moving your head look to the right and then to the left. Do this 10 times.
2. Blinking
Blinking is a great form of exercise to reduce eye strain and fatigue. We tend to forget to blink when we are staring at computer screens. Blinking allows us to keep the eyes refreshed and maintain focus for longer. Face forward and blink every 5 seconds for the next two minute duration.
3. Focusing Near and Far
Put your thumb in front of your face at about 10 inch distance and focus on it. Now focus on something else that is in your surrounding 10 feet away. Alternate between near and far focusing repeatedly over a period of 3 minutes.
4. Palming
Sit on a chair and close your eyes. Rub the palms of both your hands a few times and cup them over your eyes in such a way that no light passes through. The palm of your hands should cover the eyes, the fingers on the forehead and the base of the palm resting on the cheekbone. Ensure that your eyes can blink freely. Do this exercise over a period of 2 minutes.
7. Figure of Eight
This is a great exercise to ensure flexibility of the eye muscles. It is simple to perform. Staring at a blank wall, imagine a large figure 8 tilted on its side 10 feet away from you. Now trace this path of the figure 8 with your eyes without moving your head. Do this one way for a minute and then the reverse way for a minute.
8. Rest
Last but not least always remember to give your eyes adequate rest by ensuring you get eight hours sleep. If you are using computers, try to rest your eyes for 10 mins away from the screen for every 50 mins work.
As an artist, whether your work in traditional or digital mediums, you rely on your eyes for most of your work. Keep your eyes healthy and relaxed for living your best and most fruitful artist life. Avoid the fatigue, relieve the eye strain, and your eyes will serve you and your art well, well into your later years.
