Have you come across a ‘ghost blinking’ challenge video on TikTok and have no idea what those people are doing? You’re not alone — this is a brand new term that has only been recently known.
And no, it doesn’t have anything to do with paranormal events or ghosts; it’s actually way less spooky than it seems!
That being said, let’s find out what ghost blinking is, the origin of ghost blinking, and why everyone is ghost-blinking now!
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What is Ghost Blinking
Ghost blinking may sound like something supernatural, but it actually has nothing to do with ghosts. The term originates from fans of the Netflix series Wednesday. Wednesday Addams, played by Jenna Ortega, is known for her stoic personality and her family's fascination with the dark and morbid.
In the series, she has the ability to gaze intently without blinking, and many people on TikTok have tried to replicate this skill.
Ghost blinking is a technique for keeping your eyes open for extended periods. You trick your brain into thinking that you blinked by only flickering your eyelids, which is just enough to release some tears and prevent your eyes from completely drying out.
It can be useful in a staring contest or if you want to imitate Wednesday. Maintaining eye contact is also an important part of nonverbal communication and can be helpful in making a strong impression during interviews or other social interactions.
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So if you're interested in trying it out, here's how to ghost blink.
How To Ghost Blink
While the odds are low that you will win a staring contest if your opponent is Wednesday, you can still join the ghost blinking challenge and have a good chance of going viral on TikTok!
Ghost blinking is pretty simple — you start staring and then imagine yourself blinking when your eyes start to feel dry, the trick here is to make your brain think you blinked without actually blinking.
Ghost blinking is not as easy as it may seem since blinking helps your eyes stay moist and healthy. Not to mention that people blink on average 15-20 times per minute, so you may have a hard time nailing the TikTok ghost blinking challenge.
Still, there are a few tips to help you impress viewers with your ghost-blinking skills:
- Before filming the video, take a long blink and yawn to help your eyes produce a few tears.
- Ditch your face moisturizer or eye drops if you use any as they may cause eye irritation.
- Don’t strain your eyes.
- Sit in a comfortable position.
- Think of an interesting topic as you stare and ghost blink.
- Hone your technique by staring into the mirror and challenging yourself not to blink.
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Ghost Blinking Explained by Eye Doctor Vicki Chan MD
In the video above, Vicki Chan MD explains the physiological details of ghost blinking.
She says in the video:
“So what the heck is ghost blinking?
And how do you do it?
So full disclosure as an eye doctor, I had never heard about ghost blinking until today.
After a little bit of research, I think I figured it out.
So the muscle that controls your blink is called the “orbicularis oculi,” and the main function of the blink is to, one, protect your eyes and, two, to release tears to lubricate and keep the surface of your eye smooth.
This is the reason why when you’re doing a staring contest, and you’re not blinking for a long period of time, you feel that burning and that urge to blink because your eyes are so dry.
So what I think is happening during a ghost blink is you are activating only the outer portion of your orbicularis, kind of like a squinting motion.
And that might just be enough to release some tears to stave off the full blink, which you will eventually need.”
Ghost Blinking Origin
Wednesday Addams from the popular Netflix series Wednesday is the reason why ghost blinking is circulating the internet at the moment, who possesses an incredible ability to stare without blinking, not even for once!
TikTokers then decided to fight a losing battle against Wednesday Addams and tried to keep staring without blinking for as long as humanly possible.
Some were able to count only three ghost blinks…
Others were able to master this new art, counting up to six ghost blinks…
But no matter how many times you can ghost blink, you can never, ever, win a head-to-head battle against Wednesday….
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Is Ghost Blinking Safe for the Eyes?
Blinking is something that we usually do without even thinking about it to keep our eyes moist and wash out debris with tears.
Tears also act as a natural coat for the surface of the eye to prevent dryness and protect it from external irritants. Moreover, blinking keep your eyes healthy by providing the necessary oxygen (yes, your eyes need oxygen just like other body cells!)
As a result, not blinking for a long time can cause eye problems such as dryness and irritation. So, as long as you’re not a fictional character with paranormal abilities, too much ghost blinking is not healthy for your eyes.
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Final Thoughts on Ghost Blinking
Ghost blinking doesn’t have anything to do with ghosts, after all. Still, people tend to go overboard with TikTok challenges to gain views, so it’s expected to hear horror ghost blinking stories in the future because someone took the challenge too seriously.
However, you can join the fun and challenge Wednesday in a short ghost-blinking video. However, you’d be setting yourself up for disappointment if you think you can beat the only daughter of the Addams Family with her gothic appearance and impressive non-blinking nature.
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Sylvia Silverstone is a passionate writer who loves to share her knowledge and expertise on a wide range of topics, including beauty, life hacks, entertainment, health, news, and money. With a keen eye for detail and a talent for storytelling, Sylvia's engaging writing style keeps readers coming back for more.
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