Seven Ways to Practice Vision Within a Busy Schedule
by Irena Castle
“You have the same amount of time in the day to use your eyes well, as you do to use them badly.”
Dr. Bates was an ophthalmologist who gave the foundation to vision therapy and vision improvement and whose approach is now incorporated, one way or another, in most of the current methods for vision development. He believed (and he has proven it many times) that if we learn how to use our eyes in the way they were designed and then apply the learning in our daily usage of the visual system, we will no longer encounter any vision problems. Our vision will be perfect. His point was that such an approach does not require any special time set aside for practice.
While I deeply agree with him, the trouble my students run into is how to find the time to first learn what to do (or not to do), before it can be applied in the manner suggested by Dr. Bates. So today, let me shine some light on the time requirements of vision training.
YOU CAN’T APPLY WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW
Eyesight improvement is nothing more than a process during which a series of individual visual skills are learned, so that when they are all applied together, the student can see in a normal manner, naturally, without any need for visual aids. Such skills include for example the relaxation of the eyes and the full visual system, being aware of relative movement, looking with ease and in a relaxed way, eliminating strain, looking with interest at new distances, proper coordination of the eyes and the head movement, and many more. Usually these skills are first learned during full practice sessions, where they can be well explained, understood and trained. A guidance of a quality program or class is helpful in this step. Also, this step does require you set some time aside. Fifteen to thirty minutes may be needed.
FIND IDLE MOMENTS OR DOUBLE TASK
With that said, during the day, there are many short moments when the student can practice further, or instead of a scheduled session. These short moments are bridging the long, focused practice session with Dr. Bates’ suggested normal life usage of the proper visual skills. Let me propose a few situations that you may consider looking into.
1. While brushing your teeth
Teeth brushing is a process that has been so automated by our brain that it does not require much thinking. So, instead of staring into the sink, lift your head up, find a point of focus and practice the sway while brushing. That on its own will give your vision 6 minutes of relative movement practice while adding zero time to your schedule. The head swing or the optical swing are a couple of good alternatives to consider as well.
2. While waiting at the gas pump
Sunning or skying can be done in small doses. So while you are waiting for your tank to fill up, close your eyes, face the sun and give yourself a dose of visual receptor activation and some vitamin D on top of it.
3. While waiting in line in the store
Waiting for your turn at the cash register is a great time to read tiny print and practice foveal focus while making sure the ingredient list is in line with your nutritional needs. Just make sure you don’t strain. If you cannot read the ingredients, then just look at them. They may show up.
4. While taking a walk
Take your Field of View Separator with you. Alternate seeing the corridor with a simple observation of the engagement of your eyes. Whether or not you are aware of any visual imbalance, you will experience a much deeper understanding of what it means to see with both eyes.
5. While driving
If you do not need glasses for driving, you can practice a modified version of tromboning. Look into various distances. Read the license plate numbers of the car in front of you, the signs closer in and further away, the speed on your dashboard. As you change your points of focus, please keep your spatial awareness active.
6. While riding as a passenger
Put your peripheral vision practice shield on and notice the movement of all objects outside the vehicle being directionally opposite to the movement of the car and therefore to your own movement. You move forward, they move back.
7. While watching TV
Hold your head straight (check with your phone or a mirror). Put a book on your head and hold it there as you watch your favorite show. This simple passive activity will improve your head posture, which is a great step in the process of releasing astigmatism.
BE CREATIVE. LOOK FOR THE EASY WAYS.
Take a few days to mark down any and all moments when you happen to be idle or performing tasks that do not require your active thinking. Then make a conscious decision about what vision technique you can practice anytime the same situation occurs. Be creative. Go beyond the suggested seven. Look for what is easy and obvious. Over time this will become second nature and instead of a frequent practice, you will begin using your eyes well throughout your day.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
If your eyesight quality is less than desirable, don’t wait. Start small, learn, test things out. Begin by checking your vision habits, or enroll in a class. Take your first steps towards better seeing. It is waiting for you.
May your eyesight be boundless.
IC
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