Benefits of eye movement exercise?

Eye movement exercises have several potential benefits for both the eyes and brain. Here are some highlights based on Andrew Huberman's discussions:

1. Alleviating Eye Strain: Taking breaks every 45 minutes from focused work and engaging in panoramic vision can alleviate issues like eye fatigue, headaches, migraines, and neck pain. This involves looking at a horizon or relaxing your gaze to reduce strain from convergence eye movements 1.

2. Reducing Anxiety: Lateralized eye movements, like those used in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), can reduce anxiety, quiet the amygdala (the brain's fear and threat detection center), and thereby reduce stress 2.

3. Aiding in Visual Rehabilitation: Near-far exercises, such as pencil pushups, can help people with convergence insufficiency and even contribute to recovery from concussions by improving control of eye movements and the eye-brain connection 3.

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     1

     Eye Relaxation Techniques

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     2

     EMDR Insights

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     3

     Eye Exercises Explained

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     4

     Visual Focus Techniques

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     5

     Exercise Boosts Focus

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     6

     Forward Movement Benefits

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     Eye Health Insights

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4. Enhancing Visual Attention: By focusing or relaxing your visual attention, you can impact your level of alertness and focus. Focusing on a specific visual target can increase neurochemical release to heighten alertness and cognitive focus 4.

5. Boosting Cognitive Performance: Moderate physical exercise, which includes visual search and visual attention activities, can enhance cognitive performance and energy levels. Short bouts of deliberate eye engagement in tasks can yield significant benefits 5.

6. Suppressing Fear Responses: Forward physical movement and associated lateralized eye movements can help suppress activity of the fear centers in the brain, encouraging a growth mindset and leaning into friction during challenging situations 6.

7. Improving Eye Health: Correcting eye imbalances through exercises, particularly for those with a dominant or weaker eye, can improve binocular vision and alleviate issues such as double vision. Near-far and smooth pursuit exercises are recommended 7.

Dr. Huberman stresses the importance of performing these exercises correctly and working with a healthcare professional, especially if you have vision problems or wish to prevent them.