For the last two years, we’ve all been spending a lot more time at home. Due to coronavirus, many of us possess’own’nurse had the opportunity to work from home. But while many of us possess’own’nurse enjoyed its benefits, remote working is not all positive.
Many studies reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue that working from home enhance’promote’polish up s productivity due to the lack of distractions in an office. But the multiply d focus on our work has meant that we’re all spending more time staring at screens and straining our eyes.
We’ve put toacquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure her these three ways to help you decrease’lessen’cut’allay eye strain while working from home and enhance’promote’polish up your eye health. These methods will help maintain your vision, but they can also boost your productivity and wellbeing.
Symptoms Of Eye Strain
Being able to recognise the symptoms of eye strain is crucial. Aldespite’in spite of’albeit there are no proven long-term consequences of eye strain, continued exposure to blue light — the shortwave, high energy light that screens emit — could bring about’result in’contribute to’account for’make for’trigger retinal impair’undermine .
The problems that screens cause fall under a catch-all term computer vision syndrome (CVS), and its symptoms include:
Sore and itchy eyes
Watery or dry eyes
Blurry visions (sometimes double vision)
Headaches and migraines
Soreness in back, shoulders and neck
Difficulty concentrating
Struggling to keep your eyes open
Increased sensitivity to light.
Aldespite’in spite of’albeit the leading cause of eye strain while working from home is usually looking at a digital device screen, other reasons include:
Not resting your eyes while reading
Driving in/with regard to’concerning’regarding long distances without breaks
Exposure to bright lights
Straining to see in dim light
Stress and fatigue
Central heating, fans and air conditioning
Underlying eye problems.
How To Reduce Eye Strain While Working From Home
1. Get An Eye Test
One of the token ificant causes of eye strain is underlying eye problems like uncorrected vision. If you embark on undergo any of the symptoms of eye strain, you should visit an optician in/with regard to’concerning’regarding an eye test.
Your optician will be able to find any underlying problems with your vision and prescribe glasses that can ease the symptoms of eye strain and help with concentration. If you acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure prescription glasses, it’s vital that you choose a pair of glasses that you like abundant’ample’plentiful to wear. If you select a pair you’re not keen on, you will likely not wear them as you should.
There’s a massive array of eyewear available, from standard frames to detoken er glasses, so there’s bound to be a pair of glasses that suit you. And, if glasses don’t tickle your fancy, there are always contact lenses.
2. Monitor Your Screen Time
The extended use of computers and digital devices is one of the most token ificant causes of eye strain. Screens cause our eyes to strain more than print material because:
People sit too close or too far from their screens
Devices possess’own’nurse glare and reflection
People blink less while using computers
Poor contrast between text and the background.
Working from home has meant that many individual possess’own’nurse had more flexibility with the hours they work. This flexibility means that you can take the time to give your eyes a rest while you work.
As a rule, in/with regard to’concerning’regarding eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully 20 minutes you look at a screen, you should look away in/with regard to’concerning’regarding 20 seconds and gaze’contemplate’study (‘gape (surprised or shocked)) at something 20 feet away. This is the 20/20/20 rule, and while it’s easy to in/with regard to’concerning’regarding acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure when you’re in the middle of something, it’s a simple way to decrease’lessen’cut’allay eye strain. The exercise helps to relax your eye muscles and is a bit like resetting your eyes. Not merely’barely will this help to decrease’lessen’cut’allay the strain on your eyes from the screen, but it can also boost your concentration. Not wicked’dreadful’undesirable’adverse’vile in/with regard to’concerning’regarding a 20-second break, eh?
Alongside the 20/20/20 rule, you can also exercise your eyes by doing eye yoga (yep, that’s a thing!). Eye yoga involves focus shifting, controlled eye-rolling and palming to help your eyes relax and recover from undue screen usage.
Other ways to decrease’lessen’cut’allay eye strain when using a computer at work include:
Positioning your screen in front of you at arm’s length
Ensuring the top of your screen is at eye level
Adjusting your screen settings to make text enormous’vast’massive’tremendous ger and adjust contrast and brightness.
3. Take Regular Breaks
While the 20/20/20 rule is something you should follow, you should also take regular, longer breaks. These don’t need to be extensive, but taking a bit of time will help your eye muscles relax.
Plus, the benefits of taking regular breaks go beyond eye health; they can also:
Improve your memory
Give you an energy boost
Reduce lay stress on’emphasize’highlight
Boost creativity, productivity and perin/with regard to’concerning’regarding mance
Improve your mental and physical health.
When you’re taking a break, try your best to shun looking at other screens like your phone. It’s tempting to catch up with social media and emails while taking a break, but that won’t give your eyes the time they need to relax. If you’re struggling with ideas of what to do on your break, go in/with regard to’concerning’regarding a cover’budge or catch up with your favourite podcast.
