International Day of Yoga is observed globally on June 21 to highlight the importance of yoga in everyday life. This year’s theme is ‘Yoga for well-being’.  

As some parts of the world are still reeling under the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, well-being – physical mental and spiritual – is of utmost importance. 

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According to market research company Emarketer, adults in the United States logged 7 hours and 50 minutes every day on smartphones, desktops and other devices watching digital content and engaging with online apps in 2020. The Nielsen report revealed that adults were spending more than 13 hours a day on screens in 2020, 10 hours more than in 2019. 

While watching enriching content on various OTT platforms is a good way to escape from the hectic lifestyle, one must understand that our eyes need rest and exercise too. 

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On International Yoga Day, here are five exercises that will keep your eyes healthy:

1) Palming: Sit with your eyes closed and take deep breaths to relax your body. Then rub your hands until they become warm and place them on your eyelids. The warmth of your hands is transferred onto the eye muscles. Lower your hands and repeat. 

2) Bhramari Pranayama: Sit on the floor in a comfortable position. Place your fingers over your eyes horizontally. When you inhale make a buzzing sound. Don’t apply a lot of pressure on the eyeball and keep your lips sealed. 

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3) Up and down viewing: Sit with legs straight in front of your body. With both your thumbs pointing upwards, place both the fists on your knees. Then slowly raise your right thumb. Keep your arms straight. Follow the motion of the upward-going thumb with your eyes. When the thumb is raised to the maximum, bring it down to the starting position. Repeat the process with the left thumb. 

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4) Near and distant viewing: Sit by a window with a clear view of the horizon. Keep the arms straight by your side. Focus on the tip of your nose for 5 to 10 seconds. Close your eyes. Observe your breathing pattern as you inhale and exhale. Inhale during close viewing. Exhale during distant viewing.

5) Blink: Open your eyes wide and quickly blink about 10 times. Then close your eyes for approximately 20 seconds and repeat the exercise.