Please enable javascript, or click here to visit my ecommerce web site powered by Shopify. " />" />

Tag: computer radiation

Office Health – Eye Health

by on Jul.12, 2011, under Ayurveda, Business

Stay Healthy...Despite Computer Work!

I’ve just been spraying my face with rose water, massaging my temples with almond oil and looking at the green plant on my desk. Weird huh? Well maybe not. Do you get sore eyes from looking at your computer all day? Do you get headaches, or worse, is your eyesight deteriorating? Over stimulation of the eyes (especially from computers) is a common cause of long term eye problems as well as strain and fatigue short term.

The good news is that there is a simple solution…pick up your computer…and throw it out the window!!!

Don’t like that one? Ok, then it’s rose water & plants etc for you too. Below are some little tips to help reduce the harmful effects of computers etc on your eyes and generally keep your eyes & eyesight healthy.


Looking at computer screens for long periods is not natural for your eyes,not to mention the harmful long-term effects (some still say inconclusive) of radiation emissions, even at supposedly safe levels. So appreciate that regular long-term use of computers, can be detrimental to, not only your eyes, but your entire nervous system.

* Some of the reported symptoms of high computer use – headaches, fatigue, etc, may actually be related to poor ergonomics /computer posture etc.

Obviously computers are part & parcel of everyday life now, so you can’t avoid them, but where possible, get off your computer at regular intervals. If your work involves looking at a computer all day, be extra vigilant that you don’t then spend much personal ‘downtime’ on them as well.


A simple one is to reduce the brightness of your screen. (*usually done by simulateously holding the blue Function key at bottom of your keyboard, with the ‘brightness down’ key (usually looks like a sun or similar). Obviously, don’t reduce it so much that you have to strain to read things, but enough to take the bright glare off.

* Note: this doesn’t reduce the radiation, just the glare.


Even when you’re on the computer for much of your day, have screen breaks at least every 30-60 minutes, where you are looking/doing something else. This is an ideal time for a physical stretch/walk or to do some of the eye pacifier exercises below.


Keep a bottle of Rose or Cucumber water Spray (good quality) near your desk and spray on your eyes/face regularly. Computers etc, are brutal for ‘drying’ & ‘heating’ your eyes. Rose/Cucumber is ‘cooling’ and refreshing, and the water obviously helps keeps the moisture in the tissues, to help stop them drying out.

*** Rose Water Spray Notes:

* Most bottles etc, will say to spray on face / eyelids (i.e. keep your eyes closed). This is fine, however if you have good quality rose water (pure), then opening the eyes is okay. I do this…I can’t see anymore, but my eyes feel

* Jurlique & Kosmea have good quality(more expensive) Rose water sprays. For something lower cost, just get a rose water from a chemist & put it in your own spray bottle.

* Also, keep a bottle in your car glove box / handbag etc (it’s very fashionable guys!!!), for when you are out in the sun/driving with glare etc. Use as often as you need/want.


We massage our necks, backs, legs, ego’s etc, but don’t forget your poor little eyes. A quick massage around your temples and eyes, feels wonderful and is great for stimulating circulation and relieving tension.

** Do a 30 second massage right now. Close your eyes and massage (light & circular) around your eyes (cheekbones, temples, sockets etc and lightly on lids). Doesn’t it feel great?


Keep a small bottle of almond oil on/near your desk, and 1-2 times a day, massage some on your forehead/temples. The oil offsets the extreme ‘drying’ effect of computer screens as well as helping to nourish the mind/nervous system – what’s known as ‘prana’ vata in Maharishi Ayurveda. Prana vata aggravation
is often the cause of computer/mental work induced headaches, tension, eye problems etc.


Natural things / things of natural beauty have a great soothing & nourishing effect on the eyes and nervous system. Have at least one green plant (or some flowers) on your desk or in your direct line of vision, and regularly look at it/them.

* If you can position your desk so you have an easy view of some ‘natural scenery’ (particularly water or lush greenery) that is ideal.

** If you can’t practically do any of the above, at least get a nice picture of a natural setting (flowing waterfall, beautiful forest etc) and hang it up where you can look at it regularly.


One of the big problems with computers is not just the screen/radiation, but the fact that your eyes are focused at a fixed focal length for extended periods.

Solution: Regularly look out a window (walk to one if you need to) and vary your focal length. e.g. look at the horizon, something closer and back again etc.


I haven’t fully researched these, so don’t take as gospel, but there are good indications that air purifiers may be good at keeping your room/office air cleaner and thus having an indirect benefit on ‘prana vata’ and therefore
the eyes. * The eyes/nervous system are very sensitive to impure air.


I’ve left arguably the best remedy until last. Palming is regarded by eye specialists as one of the best relaxation exercises for the eyes. More than that though, it helps calm the whole nervous system, rests the eye muscles and optic nerves and has had more powerful benefits for the eyes than almost any other ‘natural’ (and non-natural remedies for that matter!) I know.

Palming (in conjunction with other natural treatments) has even been shown to bring about remarkable improvements in people’s eyesight. Many people who have needed very strong glasses for many years, have been able to do away with them completely.

* Caution: This does not mean it will work for everyone and it generally requires consistent practice over time. * Why most people prefer the quick-fix of laser (which like most quick fixes eliminates the symptom but
doesn’t treat the cause!!!


While palming is best in a dark room, it’s still great at your desk etc.

1. Sit comfortably – at a table/your desk etc

2. Rub your hands together (quite vigorously) for a few seconds – until they are warm – and place palms (not fingers) over your closed eyes (elbows resting on table/desk).

3. Breath deeply and just let the eyes and surrounding muscles completely relax.

Sessions of 5-10 minutes plus are great (at home) but even shorter (30 sec – 2 min) periods are still highly effective at the office.

* Aim for 2-3 times per day when on your computer.

* The more you can relax your eyes, the better the results.

* This may not seem like you are doing much, but believe me it’s great.
For more info on palming –


Do you actually have ‘sore’ or ‘bad’ eyes/eyesight, or just want to maintain the health of your eyes as best you can?

These additional Ayurvedic recommendations, can be extremely beneficial.

1. Oil Foot Massage:

What have your feet got to do with your eyes you ask? Well, interestingly, in Ayurveda, it is known that the nerves that nourish & support eye function are ‘directly’ connected to the soles of the feet. Massaging your feet for a few minutes (daily ideal), is not only great for your whole body, but particularly your eyes. * Sesame oil (‘cured’) is generally best. However, if you are really hot or have ‘red’/’burning’ eyes etc, ghee (clarified butter) or coconut oil can be good.

2. Regular ‘Ghee’ in your Diet:

Ghee (clarified butter) is pretty well considered a ‘medicine’ for the eyes. Include 2-3 tspn/day in your diet (no more if digestion is poor or cholesterol is high). Ghee is a good alternative to butter/margarine in your diet anyway.

* Ghee should be homemade or bought homemade. Most commercial ghee is not actually real ghee (it is chemically churned not ‘cooked/heated’. They are best to avoid.
To make your own ghee, see –

3. Post Meal Eye Wash with Water:

After any meal, wash your face & eyes with ‘cool’ water.

4. Milk Eye Baths…Cucumbers!:

Especially for ‘sore/red’ eyes or where you’ve had too much sun/computer etc,

i) have a 3-5 minute eye bath with milk (no need for skim or low fat here!) or

ii) put ‘cucumber slices’ on your eyes for 5-10 minutes…it’s a good look too!

*** Natural CATARACTS Remedy ***

Do you or someone you know have cataracts?

If so, swirl some water in your mouth mixing in quite a bit of saliva. Spit the ‘saliva water’ into an eye bath(s) (you can get from any chemist), and regularly do an eye bath. Sounds gross…think I’m pulling your leg? No way, this is a quite a well-known alternative treatment for cataracts. The enzymes in saliva are extremely effective at breaking down cataracts. Serious. It works.

Laughter Medicine: Speaking of Eyes, Eyesight & Golfers!

Bill is 73 and moves into a senior apartment complex right on the golf course. He loves to play, so he thinks it’s ideal. However, he has really bad eyesight, so whenever he hits the ball, he can’t see it and spends all his time looking for it. This aggravates the other players so soon he cannot find anyone to play with. He goes to the golf pro and asks for help. The golf pro says, ‘Your in luck. We have a new member who is 92 years old but his eyesight is great. He can see for miles’. So, they team up together. At the first hole, Bill tees off and whack, the ball takes off at a rate of knots.

‘Did you see it?’, ‘Did your see it?’ says Bill. ‘Yeah sure did’ replies the older man.

‘Where did it go?’ ‘Where did it go’, asks Bill enthusiastically.

‘I forget’ replies the older man.


Office Health – Bring Nature (Plants) to You!

by on Jun.12, 2011, under Business, Happiness / Positive Psychology, Mind-Body, Work-Life Balance

Bring Nature to your Office - a good de-stressing idea!!!

Bring Nature to You:

Ever noticed that by the end of the week, you just want to ‘get out of your stuffy office’ and ‘get some fresh air’/get back near Nature? One of the best ways to avoid that feeling as well as to improve your mood, workplace productivity, energy levels & resistance to illness is to bring Nature to you.

A study by Professor Margaret Burchett, of the University of Technology, Sydney, found that potplants can reduce air toxins by as much as 20%. A study on houseplants has shown they reduce, fatigue, sore throats & cold symptoms by over 30%. What about at work? Studies in Europe have shown potplants in the office can reduce ‘sick leave’ by 60%.

Plants not only give a bit of ‘life’ & colour to our sometimes ‘over-business like’ office environments; they can literally help reduce stress, offset the various toxic emissions from things like computers, mobile phone radiation, synthetic carpets, paints etc,  increase mood and productivity & reduce absenteeism.

Offset The Harmful Effects of Computers:

Having a plant near your computer helps counteract the hot, solar energy of the computer plants are nourishing & cooling in nature & provide balancing ‘lunar’ energy. Plants are also able to absorb pollutants from the air, making it cleaner and more pure. It is estimated that indoor air is 5-10 times more polluted than outdoor air – plants purify toxins and in return give us fresh oxygen (considering we need fresh oxygen for high energy & clear thinking, that’s not a bad deal).

Put More Plants in your Office & One on your Desk

* Suggestions Include:
Kentia Palms – go well with generally neglect if you don’t have a green thumb! like me!
Small Ferns
Peace Lily – one of the best air purifiers (removes many VOC’s) & looks nice
Spider plants – removes carbon monoxide & easy to look after
* all the above are good choices as they are up with the best for air purification, as well as being visually pleasing and ‘low maintenance’.

** Flowers are great too – unfortunately no recommendations here – sorry mum, I know you tried!

Final Notes:

1. When we talk about plants we don’t mean ‘those sort of plants’! * If you want to grow some dope…plant a man.

2. Speaking of flowers.

A man walks into a flower shop and says  “l’d like some flowers please”
Shop assistant – “Certainly sir, what did u have in mind”
Man – “Er well I, er , I’m not sure, I , er…”
Shop assistant – “Perhaps I could help. Precisely what have you done?”