Consider Palming for Eye Health (#SquareUp Day 4)

Posted on by Prior...

For today’s square photo, we have some palm trees from Florida. 

This post with Florida Palms was inspired by my need to clean out a folder. I have had this palming image “ready to use” for much too long. So today is the day.

I might have mentioned “palming” before on this blog, but here is my quick experience with it:

I first heard about palming in 1990 with the book “Better Eyesight without Glasses” and then in early 1990s with Monart (here). 

Palming involves covering your eyes with the palm of your hands so that all light is blocked out. There are different arguments about what this does for eye health. 

Here is how I have used palming: On road trips – when I have a little more to drive but feel tired. Palming refreshes the eyes and can relax the brain. (For a road trip boost, I also take fish oil and a “B-right capsule” from Jarrow brand – to give energy without a crash- and then maybe some plain coffee or tea). Palming on road trips is done by doing one eye at a time (obviously) – and I start with 20 or 30 seconds on each side. It is so cool how “when you need it, the palming can be felt even more.” 

Some people have reduced migraine symptoms or just restored a sense of wellness by doing palming.  This page from Bates (here) will give you more detailed information about the 100-year history of palming. 

The art of Palming can also be an activity to do with children.  Children of all ages enjoy learning about ways we can help the body with various activities or movements. I have seen middle schoolers use palming before they take math exams and art students use it to warm up the eyes and work on hand-eye connections.  And hey, sometimes it is the perception of a help that underpins what we get from something – – but I do believe that palming can physically help relax the inner muscles of the eye and reduce eye strain.  I also believe that some folks benefit from taking supplements for eye health – there are different formulas out there – and each person is different with what they might need. So before you just accept a stronger lens each eye check-up – consider palming for eye health (and consider other little things that might help). Or just use palming for stress relief. Sometimes during a hectic day it is awesome to put the kettle on, put the feet up the wall while letting the water heat up, and then palm the eyes. Try it and see. 🙂  

This is how I prefer to do palming

I guess we could also do palming by gazing at these wonderful palm trees – and savoring their beauty for a few minutes.

Have you ever tried palming? With the palm of your hands or by savoring the trees? 

#SQUAREUP Day 4

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46 thoughts on “Consider Palming for Eye Health (#SquareUp Day 4)”

  1. I’ve not come across this, Yvette. It’s something I’d normally do while playing hide and seek 🙂 🙂 How long for- just a few minutes? It can’t harm.

    Liked by 4 people

    2. Hi jo! The photo does remind me of hide and seek and I think the Bates method is to start gradual and increase time
      For me,
      I keep my eye opened and can place my palm over it for around two minutes –
      I always do one eye at a time – even at home
      I once read that leaving the eye open while covering it with complete darkness from the palm allows a deeper relaxation –
      Oh and a good eye mask – those sleep masks that allow for composure darkness can have a similar impact – but some say this palming can go to a new level when you cross the hands (first image) and it connected to the body energy and our releasing of it. Not in the new age sense – but something about crossing the arms and placing the hands over the eyes like that can connect to the body meridians and inner flow – and can be uplifting
      Please keep me posted if you do enjoy this

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      1. Worth a try. My son and partner wear sleep masks as their blinds aren’t very effective but I like to be able to see when it’s getting light. Different subject, I know 🙂 🙂

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  3. I do this, but never had a name for it. If I can, I cover my head in heavy blankets – Even with my eyes closed and my hands over them, I can “see”. Well, I know where all of the light sources are, like computer screens, windows, doors, pieces of white paper, etc.. pretty much to the millimeter, OK, I do it outside in the sunlight as well, so I can face the sun without burning my retinas…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi Trent! Oh how cool to hear about your different explorations – and I think there are some gurus that suggest to do this outdoors and in the sun on some days – so that was interesting to hear.
      And the blankets is also intriguing – side note – I am on the hunt for a weighted blanket – taking my time to see what kind I want – but really looking forward to it
      And lastly interesting about the light sources – have you ever tired a sleeping mask? There are some awesome ones out there and some offer the complete darkness which helps the eye and can stimulate hormones and all that
      The mask might not offer all of what palming can offer (because I think the body’s meridians are impacted when folks use their hands or when they cross the arms and whatnot) but oh my goodness are the sleep masks god these days – I bought one for a student (on clearance and did not really think about features) and it had raised areas so it did not crush her fake lashes – and it was well made

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I really need a sleeping mask, and have thought about it many times. I’m not sure how comfortable I’d be, but I guess I could get used to it.

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        1. Well let me tell
          You that they are not al the same! I think I have had more than a dozen – maybe two dozen! The airlines offer cheap ones which are nice as a travel back up – the best are loose and Silky – or the ones that area raised so they don’t touch the eye. And then they cannot be too tight around the head.
          I will try and share a photo of the ones we liked most

          Liked by 1 person

        2. I ordered one shortly after making this comment… It should be here soon and I’ll see. It had like 30,000 reviews on Amazon and averaged 4 1/2 stars, so hopefully good. It is a raised above the eyes type.

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    1. Hi Janet / glad you grabbed my humor on one eye ata time while driving
      But I also only do one eye at a time “if and when” I do this at home
      Only recently did I learn about the additional angle that can maybe come from crossing the arms and how it connects to body energetic flow –
      But the way I do it seems to work enough for moi

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  13. I’ve rested my eyes on palms, but never rested my palms on my eyes. It does sound relaxing. I’ll give it a try! After a day on the computer, my eyes often need a rest. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Yes – the computer can sure take a toll – I have blue blocker glasses but I keep
      Forgetting to use them! Have you heard about the blue blockers ? They are supposed to help prevent eye fatigue and also block blue lights that can interfere with sleep and hormones in the body —

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I hadn’t heard of them. Sounds interesting. I have a lot less eye problems since I left my business job. I can actually write fiction on my laptop with my eyes closed. 🙂

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  14. I’ve not heard of this, Yvette, but with all the time I spend looking at screens, I’m going to use it. Often. I take a break every hour for 10 minutes to get up and move around. I’ll add this to the regimen a few times a day. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hi Tara – thanks for the reminder about taking a break from sitting – my spouse uses a timer and will get up and go tree gaze or just get away from the screen – I think he does a five minute break every 30 minutes – but your ten minutes every hour is more my style – although I admit to having flow and not wanting to stop it – but I know we do need to watch the circulation 🙂
      and let me know if palming offers you any benefits if you add it to your break time 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Yvette, I love palm trees and particularly the ones in Florida! There is something wonderfully exotic about them. As for palming, this is new to me although I do like to cover my eyes with my palms now and then anyways. I find it soothing, shuts out the world and gives me eyes and brain a rest. I might try it more purposefully now and see how I feel! Interesting post and thanks for all things palms! x

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Truly my pleasure to share — and annika – I sometimes feel cheesy when i say I am giving back to those who have given me so much online – but the truth is I have soaked up a sea of knowledge – and maybe even life-saving tips – from vlogs, videos, and posts online – and I do think of this when I ponder “to share or not share” – and I wanted to share about palming sometime last spring and never got to it –

      anyhow, it is cool that you sometimes do it anyway – and shows that many times we are in sycn with what our body needs – there are many folks that argue we are exposed to way too much light in this modern age – a little dark time could have value

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  19. Wow!
    This is so amazing as I like to do this almost everyday, without even considering it as a relaxation method for eyes and minds. Thank you very much for sharing this 🙂

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