An NHS surgeon and TikToker has revealed a simple way to reduce stress and anxiety using your eyes – and it works within seconds.
Dr Karan Rajan, a surgeon and lecturer at the University of Sunderland, shares his experience and knowledge with his 4.7 million followers on TikTok.
In a recent clip, he reveals the surprising method to reduce stress and anxiety – using your eyes.
He begins by explaining that our eyes aren’t connected to our brain and are, in fact, our brain as during embryonic development, our eyes are part of the forebrain.
Stepping away from biology, he says that while working on our computers or scrolling through social media, we are using focal vision.
He explains that while focusing on something, our vision narrows and this activates the sympathetic nervous system – AKA the stress response.
He says that if we switch our focal vision to panoramic vision and engage our peripheral vision, such as by looking up at the sky, this can reduce stress.
Explaining the logic behind this, he says that panoramic and peripheral vision activates the parasympathetic nervous system – the rest and digest response – which decreases arousal.
Dr Karan finishes the video by suggesting taking a few minutes every day to “focus on un-focusing” to help find relaxation.
The popular post was viewed 172,400 times and racked up over 20,000 likes.
“I’ve started looking at the stars. Sounds sad but it’s so relaxing. Literally switches off the stress,” one viewer commented.
Another person added: “Ahhhh. Hence walks in nature work wonders.”
“Eye had no idea the I’s were part of the brain!” someone else joked. [sic]
One person said: “Ooh I do this while driving, helps me stop panicking.”
“Wow I’ve done this since being a really little kid, it’s great getting a good doctor reinforcement of my ways,” another viewer commented.
Another person added: “Is this why I feel more relaxed when just gazing at the sky. When I’m anxious I look at the sky I feel calm soon after,” to which Dr Karan replied: “Must be!”
