I love writing for a living. And as I recently admitted, I love reality TV. The sad part is, both of these callings require many hours spent staring at a screen. Hours that result in dry, red, and strained eyes. What’s worse, all this eyeballing can get me trapped in my head to the point that I can forget I have a body altogether (until my full bladder or aching shoulders tell me otherwise).
That’s when it’s time for a little self-care.
There’s an acupressure point located on either side of the very top of your nose, directly in between your eyes, known as “Eyes Bright.”Applying loving pressure to these points refreshes your vision and clears your head. (It also makes you look like Felix Unger when he’s having an allergy attack, but then I suppose I’m dating myself.) Best of all, you can do it anywhere without looking like a total weirdo—I’m in a coffeeshop and just did it, and nobody looked at me like I was crazy. In addition to relieving my fatigued eyes, it helped me think up the idea for this Vegimental. Not bad for something that only takes 30seconds to do.
You can do it sitting or lying down. Use your thumb and forefinger ofone hand to grasp either side of the very top of your nose. Gently squeeze your fingers in toward each other and then lift them up slightly to apply pressure to the inner corner of your brow bones. I like to close my eyes but you can also keep them open. Stay until you feel something shift—perhaps the skin under your fingers will get warm, or you’ll feel a pulsing there, or your thoughts will quiet, or your energy level will perk up. Then slowly remove your fingers and spend amoment or two savoring your new reality.
Take care and keep breathing,
Kate
In a New York City coffee shop you could probably do handstand in a corner and no one would look twice! All the same, this is useful. Thank you! — myra klockenbrink (re-posted by Kate)
This is SO incredibly timely for me. I spend my days sitting in one position, staring at the computer not blinking or moving and then feel like a zombie. I try to take a break every 30 minutes, but sometimes it doesn’t work. Today was one of those days. I’m trying it as soon as I can tear myself away from this Vegimental! — Katie (re-posted by Kate)
One of these days, I’m going to try doing a handstand in a coffeeshop, Myra! I’ll let you know if I get any raised eyebrows. 🙂 — Kate
I’m getting married in T-minus 10 weeks and counting. This morning on my way to work I listened to a ‘gratefulness’ walking meditation and watched as the colors around me became sharper en route. I’m just starting out but I’ve committed myself to using this tool to try to get calmer and more centered in the midst of what could easily become a crazy time. — Lisa Flehinger (re-posted by Kate)