Here in the 21st century more and more jobs are requiring the use of computers. We are in the information age and it’s all available on our computers, via the Internet, where people are spending countless hours in front of their screens. It’s one of the reasons I have created this lifestyle blog.
After a long day in front of the computer; tiredness, irritability, and pain in the eyes or head, are common complaints. When people stare endlessly at a computer screen they tend to forget the importance of relaxing; giving their eyes a break. Without relaxation and eye exercises, permanent damage and eye problems can result.
Of course computers are now an essential part of our lives; it would be difficult for a regular user to stop using one; whether for work, play, or study. So to continue to use our PC’s we must stop, listen, and take heed of what our bodies are telling us. We need to relax and take breaks away from the computer at regular intervals to stop our eyes from becoming strained and our backs and necks aching.
Listen to your body: Your body knows better than you do when it’s time for a break. So when your eyes start to burn it’s time to take action. Don’t miss the signs i.e. tiredness, headaches, eye strain, stiff neck and shoulders. Take a short break every hour; stand up, walk around for a few minutes.
However, just taking regular breaks is not going to be enough. Look away from the screen every 15-20 minutes for a minute or two. Look at things both close and far away, allowing the eyes to adjust and move around. The goal is to avoid the strain in the first place so do it before you feel the strain.
Exercises:
1) Blink as often as you can to keep the eyes lubricated. Then take a few moments to roll the eyeballs around; you can do this with your eyes open or closed. To give your eyes a short break, open and close them several times and do this exercise at regular intervals – say once every hour (more often if you prefer) when you are working at the computer; it only takes a few moments .
2) Place your index finger on your nose and focus your eyes on it, then follow your finger with your eyes as you draw it away from you. Do this several times, it’s a very useful exercise.
3) Yawning helps as it stretches out the jaw muscles and keeps them from becoming tense and causing headaches and eye strain. So if you have the need to yawn, do so, the benefits far outweigh any silliness you might feel if people can see you.
Keep Moving: You need to move around as much as possible. Make sure you are always in a comfortable place; adjust your body or chair accordingly, as often you feel it is needed. Move the keyboard or monitor to avoid stretching your neck and looking at the screen on an uncomfortable angle. Try to avoid glare on the monitor; move it around as the sun moves, or buy a screen protector. And, whatever you do, don’t have the screen too bright..
Good Lighting: Always keep your work area bright and well lit. Bright lights lift the mood and keep you feeling positive; dim lights do the reverse, bringing your mood down and making you feel sluggish. By making minor changes in your work space, and taking regular small breaks; you can forestall permanent eye damage caused by long hours in front of the computer.
