Much of our modern life is spent with screens. Many of us will spend hours in front of them for work, and even after that, it’s also one of the most common sources of entertainment and leisure, as well. If you’re not careful, the blue light from screens can begin to wear you out in more ways than one. For that reason, we’re going to look at how to take care of yourself if your day involves facing a lot of screens.
Balance Blue Light
The blue light given off by digital screens is the factor that’s going to be of the most concern. One of the best ways you can mitigate its impacts is to ensure that you’re not just face-to-face with a glaring blue light source in an otherwise dark or dim room. Using soft, ambient lighting like a desk lam pr overhead lights can reduce the harsh contrast, while there is also screen-dimming software that can soften the light from your screen, even matching the time of day.
Mind Your Positioning
The closer you are to your screen, the more that blue light can affect you. Try to keep it about an arm’s length away. Aside from distance, height matters, too. Keep the top of the screen just below eye level so that you don’t have to crane your head to look at it, which can help you reduce strain on your neck and back.
Keep Your Eyes Moisturized
It might not be something that we notice easily, but we blink a lot less when we’re spending extended time looking at a screen. This can lead to dry, irritated eyes in no time. Eye drops can be a lifesaver, especially ones specifically designed for lubrication and moisturization, like Hycosan Extra. Keeping a bottle of drops in the desk drawer can make it easy to top up as soon as your eyes start feeling dry, though it’s often better to use them to prevent that feeling in the first place.
Be Aware Of Screen Apnea
Just as we tend to blink less when we’re looking at a screen, people have begun to be a lot more aware of screen apnea, which is when we unconsciously hold our breath or breathe shallowly while looking at a screen. It’s especially common when spending a lot of time typing. Take the time to check your breathing and to practice slow, steady breaths if you discover you’ve been holding it. Otherwise, we get less oxygen, and we can start to feel tired much more easily.
Avoid Screens Too Close To Bedtime
When you’re working remotely or from a home office, it’s easy to get into the habit of working when you want, which can include before bedtime. However, it’s wise to avoid too much screentime before bed as blue light exposure can suppress the hormones that signal that it’s time for our body to sleep, which can keep us awake for longer at night. Try to wean yourself off screens for 30 to 60 minutes before sleeping, and you’ll have an easier time drifting off.
Don’t underestimate the impact that screens can have on your eyes, your energy levels, and even how well you sleep at night. The tips above can ensure that you stay protected.
