How routines help with vision improvement

By Sorrisi

I’m noticing the biggest difference in my day since I have finished my thesis is the complete lack of routine.  I’ve been exploring career options, visiting family, and working on some projects.  The first thing I notice is that without a routine, time can just fly by without anything getting done!  I’m not too worried about that, since my brain needed a break from structured thinking, but I think I’ve reached the tipping point where bringing a bit more routine back into my daily life will make things more relaxing (and get more of my planned blog posts online!).

When visiting my in-laws, I marvelled at how calming their (retired) daily routine is:   Wake up.   Eat breakfast.  Swim, garden, errands.  Have lunch. Nap.  Take a walk or visit someone, housework.  Tea.  Read.  Dinner.   Sit in the living room and talk.  Go to bed.  Feel amazingly refreshed the next day!

A routine is calming because the brain doesn’t have to work in the background to decide what to do or to think that something has been forgotten.  Of course, personal taste ranges – some people are not happy unless every day is different while others have every step of their lives preplanned and repetitive like clockwork.  After reflecting, I find I do best with a balance of some routine to provide a bit of reassuring structure, and then some surprises to keep the fun up.

The benefits of routines apply to vision improvement as well.  There are many aspects of the Bates method that can be practiced every day to great benefit.  Palming everyday is a helpful routine, as is practicing with the Snellen chart every day.   Keep in mind, there are many ways to vary elements within a routine to keep it fresh.   A new experience can be reached in palming each time if it is approached with awareness and creativity.  For example, in one session, I can pay attention to my breathing, in the next, I can progressively relax muscles in my body.  But the routine of palming a 15-20 minutes a few times a day stays constant.

It is similar with daily use of the Snellen chart.  There are infinite ways to use it (which I will discuss in the next posts).  By approaching routines with creativity, you can do the same thing every day and still learn something new each time.  The routine itself brings consistency and results.   Most aspects of the Batse method are habits, and by routinely practicing the Bates methods, correct use of the eyes becomes a habit.

Now, don’t go overboard and make a full schedule of fixed times for vision improvement activities!  The routine itself has to fit into your life, and above all you need to enjoy the time spent practicing the Bates method.  Keep the following in mind:

1. Only add one new routine into your life at a time.  In other words, don’t create full schedule all at once.  If your goal is to palm three times a day, read the Snellen chart twice per day, practice sunning every sunny day, do the long swing before bedtime, take a vision walk every day, and be more aware of breathing and blinking all day….  I would suggest starting by simply palming once a day.  Do it every day for a week.  Then, if that works out and you’re still enjoying yourself, add another activity such as a second palming session or chart practice. 
2. Re-evaluate your vision improvement routines and habits now and then.  Did something lose its fun?  Do you only do it because you feel you have to?  Did you stop learning from this activity or does it no longer improve your vision?  Well, that’s when you need to consider changing that particular routine, because if it’s boring or cumbersome it’s not helping you anyway.  Change it slightly using your creativity or replace it with something completely different.
3. Keep your ‘routined’ schedule in balance and in perspective by having special days now and then.  It’s ok to break from a routine! Perhaps once a week you have a day where you do something completely different.  Or, if you are traveling, don’t feel guilty because you aren’t following the plan, see it as a chance to find fresh inspiration and new ideas.

 

 

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