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WHY DO PEOPLE BLINK THEIR EYES?

A blink lasts about a 10th of a second, and most people blink about 15 times a minute, or every 4 seconds.

 There is some cleaning and lubrication of the eye that gets handled by blinking, and when some dust or flies enter your eye you'll start blinking fiercely. A blink can also be a protective mechanism against bright lights. Similarly,you may well blink in the presence of irritants like freshly cut onions or tear gas.

Blink rates vary quite a bit depending on emotional and mental states. Stress and anxiety tend to increase a person's blink rate. Intense concentration tends to reduce the blink rate, and if you're in a situation that implies some danger, your blinking rate can go way down -- presumably to help you look around quickly without missing things.


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