While not a substitute for professional treatment, gentle eye exercises and massages can improve blood circulation around the eyes, reduce tension, and alleviate fatigue.

• Palming: Rub your hands together to generate warmth, then gently cup them over your closed eyes for a minute or two. The warmth and darkness can be very soothing.

• Focus Shifting: Hold a pen at arm’s length, focus on it, then shift your focus to an object far away. Repeat several times to exercise your eye muscles.

• Gentle Massage: Using your fingertips, gently massage the areas around your eyes – temples, brow bone, and below your eyes – in small circular motions. This can help relieve tension and improve circulation.