Paul Ogden starts the new year by sharing his personal experience of how he took the lead to improve his own eyesight and wellbeing at work – and you can too!
“The only thing permanent about our behaviour patterns is our belief they are so.” Moshe Feldenkrais
I recently went to have my annual eye test. I am short-sighted and recently reached that delightful life stage where I also need reading glasses. I had the test and was promptly informed that the last test I had taken with them (using the same computer technology) had obviously been incorrect. My eye sight had improved in all directions.
The optometrist was not prepared to believe my eyesight had improved – it is not a generally recognised scientific fact that this can happen. I am, nevertheless, ‘aware’ that it has, and my ‘self-image’ has taken on board this possibility. They are my eyes and I no longer need glasses to read music or books.
My focus in this series of articles has been on how to improve performance while at the same time increasing levels of health and wellbeing in the workplace, all by developing self-awareness through sensation of movement. Each article has contained little tips on how everyone can achieve this practically within the workplace. If you haven’t done so already, please try them.
Improve your workplace habits!
It is a simple fact that for very many of us, the activities required for our personal development, health and wellbeing are something we do outside of the workplace. Consequently, in the workplace we develop many habits that deplete our sense of health. This is especially true about the way we use our eyes. In particular, when using digital screen equipment, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop and office computers.
Many people now suffer from what is referred to as ‘Computer Vision Syndrome’ – the typical symptoms are:
- aching eyes
- dry eyes
- blurred vision
- headaches
- shoulder, neck and back pain
- anxiety.
It impacts on our mental health and productivity. The Health and Safety Executive believes that 90% of people who spend three or more hours looking at computer and smartphone screens without taking suitable breaks will develop the syndrome.
Viewing a display screen is completely different from reading a printed page or writing on a sheet of paper. The letters on a screen are not so clearly delineated and there are visual difficulties caused by contrast flicker and glare. The eyes have to work much harder, continually focussing and re-focussing as you look across the screen.
How we sit when using these screens often has an impact on our muscular skeletal system. It affects the way we stand, hold our head, and the way we walk. It reduces our impact and presence.
Sight and movement
All sentient movement is initiated and organised by the eyes. Constant messages are being relayed, such as adjusting the size the step we take to cross a kerb and changing direction to avoid an obstacle. We can continue to learn, refine and become more aware of our movements throughout the whole of our life.
However, in order to do so we need to sense the movement, and visualise ourselves undertaking the movement, to bring it into reality.
We are naturally curious about what we observe. It is this curiosity that develops our awareness and self-image. However, if our vision becomes impeded and limited by our habitual behaviours, our ability to develop performance is adversely impacted.
Tips for maintaining healthy eyesight
You may be wondering why my eyesight has improved. There are many methods that claim to improve sight naturally and a quick search on the internet will reveal many of them.
For me, it was a surprising by-product of the Feldenkrais training lessons I have been taking as part of my own continuing professional development. Here is one I use regularly. Read the instructions first before trying it.
- In a sitting position and with your eyes closed, start turning your head very slowly to the left.
Obviously some effort is required. However, make the effort as minimal as possible. Notice the point where to continue moving the head requires a little more effort. Some people describe it as the point where they require to ‘change up a gear’. Stop the movement at that point and return your head to the central position. Repeat this movement and notice where you stop. - Now with your head remaining in the central position (forward) and with your eyelids closed, slowly start moving your eyes as far to the right as you can, and then back to the central position.
Repeat the process at least six times. The key instruction here is undertake the movement slowly. You may experience some difficulty making the movement smooth. You may experience the movement of your eyes as being ‘jerky’. This is normal. As you move your eyes, bring your attention to the back of your neck. Do you feel some activity in the muscles and vertebrae at that point? - Now return to the central position and again move your head to the left.
Can you feel how much easier the movement is? Now repeat the lesson in reverse, moving the head to the right.
What else can you do?
There are lots of other things you can do to try and maintain healthy eyesight. Here are some examples.
- Take a regular break away from your computer every 20 minutes – get up from your workstation and walk around.
- While you are working, periodically look away from the screen and focus your eyes on an any object that is further away than your screen, such as a picture on the wall.
- If you find your eyes getting tired, rub the palms of your hands together until they are getting warm. Place your palms on your cheekbones and the fingers of one hand on top of the other on your forehead. This should create a warm, dark space to rest your eyes without putting any pressure on them.
- Make sure your computer screen is set at a position where you can sit and work without creating the ‘C’ shape slump in your back.
Get in touch
Paul Ogden is always interested in hearing about people’s experience, so if you would like to find out more on how you can improve your wellbeing in 2018 or how to apply the Felenkrais Method to your work please email nina.taylor@performgreen.co.uk who will connect you.
Read more from Paul Ogden’s series on health & wellbeing
- The Art of Breath
- How curious am I? Understanding Self Image
- How to reach peak performance at work
- Why health & wellbeing is critical to improving business performance
For more details about The Feldenkrais Method for Executive Coaches, Managers, and Business Leaders follow the link http://www.routledge.com/9781138230910
Perform Green has also recently welcomed Gavin Beckett as Chief Innovation & Research Officer, you can read some of his thought leadership series below:
Creating a model for Local Government as a Platform
From Smart Cities to Smart Societies — The Story so Far
Can We Still Talk about Digital Transformation?
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