How to rest your eyes and why it matters

Ever caught yourself rubbing your eyes and thinking, "Why do these feel like they've run a marathon?" It's weird, right? Your brain and lungs don't whine for a break. But your eyes? They're like delicate little flowers that occasionally need more rest than just your nightly sleep. 

Resting your eyes is critical to prevent strain and maintain eye health. Some of the most common reasons you may require eye rest include being a contact lens wearer and prolonged screen time. Keep reading to find answers to questions like how to rest your eyes from screens and more.  

Why resting your eyes is crucial  

With all the health trends out there—cold plunges, wheatgrass shots, keto diets—it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Don't worry, we're not here to add to the confusion. But there's one thing you shouldn't overlook: Your eyes need rest, and here's why. 

Benefits of eye rest  

You need to rest your eyes to prevent eye fatigue. Eye fatigue is when your eyes give up on you and decide to stop doing their job, causing blurry eyesight, strained and heavy eyes, and more.  

Resting your eyes can prevent uncomfortable symptoms like eyestrain and dryness. Giving your eyes a much-needed break will also enhance your overall visual performance and health. Even the best athletes take rest days, so give those eyeballs some well-deserved time off. 

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Risks of not resting your eyes  

Eye fatigue comes with lots of symptoms. But it's not just these occasional, uncomfortable symptoms you need to worry about. If you don't properly rest your eyes, you risk potential long-term damage from continuous strain. Additionally, you could develop long-lasting issues like blurred vision and headaches. Seriously, we can't stress it enough, so do as Kit Kat says and take a break.  

How to rest your eyes from contacts  

Contacts may be convenient and free you from glasses, but they’re also a leading reason your eyes may be fatigued.  

Recognizing the need for a break  

If there's one lesson you take from this entire reading, it's that you should listen to your body, especially when it's screaming at you that it's tired.  

You should take a short break from wearing contact lenses if you start to notice any of these signs: 

• Red eyes 

• Irritated or dry eyes 

• Contacts suddenly feeling uncomfortable 

Best practices for contact lens wearers  

So, your eyes are bothering you when you wear contacts and you're left wondering, "How long should I rest my eyes from contacts?" Ideally, you should alternate between glasses and contacts to give your eyes a rest. Try to split up your week so you don't wear contacts every day.  

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How to rest your eyes from screens  

The other big culprit in eye fatigue is constant screen time. Between phones, work desktops, television screens, and tablets, you probably spend more time in front of a screen than you don't (no judgment here, we do it too!).  

Techniques to reduce screen strain  

The most popular approach to reducing screen strain is the 20-20-20 rule. It's about breaking your hour into 20-minute intervals (I bet you didn't guess that from the name, did you?). It's simple: Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.  

Some additional tips are: 

• Adjust your screen settings for better eye comfort, such as minimizing the glare from your screen. 

• Have an ergonomic setup so your eyes aren't too close to or too far from the screen. 

• Take regular breaks from staring at your screen. 

• Try exercises to relax your eyes (slow blinking, putting palms over your eyes, etc.). 

Techniques to rest your eyes without falling asleep  

Sure, your eyes get a break when you sleep, but taking a 3 p.m. nap isn't always an option when you're at the office or driving to an appointment. So, if you're wondering how to rest your eyes without falling asleep, you've come to the right place. 

Relaxation methods that keep you awake  

Try out these tips for resting your eyes without falling asleep:  

• Guided visual exercises 

• Gentle eye massages 

• Applying a warm washcloth over your eyes 

• Breathing techniques and mindfulness exercises to relax the eyes consciously 

Proper eye health includes breaks