Eye Exercises for Faster Reading
Speed reading is the ability to read and comprehend the written word at a higher than average rate of speed, which is generally about 250 words per minute. Faster reading capabilities increase the amount of information a person can absorb from books and manuals and also can increase the person's enjoyment of fiction works. Eye movement is critical to increasing reading speeds. Proper eye exercises train the muscles of the eye and eye socket to work efficiently and quickly with reduced eye strain.
Other People Are Reading
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Side to Side Movement
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Reading requires moving the eye's point of focus to the right to follow the line being read and then rapidly returning focus to the left margin to begin the next line. Rapidly moving the eye from side to side on the same level strengthens the muscles that fasten the eyeball to the socket. Hold your arms in front of you with thumbs pointed up. Move your arms out until the thumbs are at the edge of your vision. Move your eyes back and forth from thumb to thumb without moving your head. Repeat the exercise in three sets of 10 repetitions.
Controlled Movement
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Another exercise that benefits the muscles stresses control rather than strength and speed. Look at a blank wall, and imagine your point of focus is a paint brush. Write your name, or any other word, on the wall by moving your point of focus. Repeat the exercise with different words for variety.
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Eyelid Exercises
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Muscle speed is always a combination of strength and flexibility. Squeezing the eyelids and opening them widely increases muscle flexibility around the eye. Open your eyes and mouth as wide as possible while inhaling. Close your mouth and eyes while exhaling. Keep your eyes and mouth as tightly shut as possible for up to 30 seconds. Repeat the process up to four times.
Steady Eyes
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Controlling the muscles around the eye also is critical. Close your eyes about halfway, and hold them in this position while keeping the muscles as steady as possible with no shaking. While keeping the eyes half-closed, focus at an object in the distance. This helps keep the eyes steady. Hold the position for 10 to 15 seconds for each cycle. Repeat the cycle three times as needed when your eyes feel tired or tense.
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