Follow these tips to keep your eyes healthy at the office
Business Technology | May 2, 2013
If you look at your computer all day long as part of your job – as many of us do – then the odds are high that you suffer regularly from eyestrain. Eyestrain isn’t a lasting condition. Nonetheless it can cause occasional headaches, water eyes, dry eyes, a heightened sensitivity to light and an inability to focus. In other words, it’s not very pleasant. Fortunately, the everon small-business blog recently took a look at eyestrain. What did it find? It’s relatively easy for workers to avoid this condition.
20/20/20 Rule
First, you should practice the 20/20/20 rule. Basically, this rule states that once every 20 minutes you need to take 20 seconds to look at an object that is 20 feet or more away from you. The reason? This forces your eyes to focus on something that’s not a glowing computer screen. Additionally, it gives your eyes somewhat of a workout. The everon blog indicates that every 20 minutes you walk take a 20-second break to walk 20 feet or more. This is not only good for your eyes, but for your overall health and mental state, too.
Reminders
Nevertheless how do you remember to take these breaks? Fortuitously, everon lists several apps that will help. For instance, there’s Workrave, which sends a message on your screen when it’s time to take your micro-break. Workrave also suggests specific exercises that will help keep your eyes healthy. If you don’t enjoy this app, you can also try EyeLeo, where an animated leopard walks you through short exercises for your eyes. EyeLeo will blank out your computer screen when it’s time to have a break.
Coffee Break
Another favorite reminder app is Coffee Break, even though it is only available for Apple devices. This app will slowly darken your screen as a pre-arranged break time nears. You’ll certainly be encouraged to take that important break as your screen gets darker and darker. Needless to say, no app can make you take a health break. Nevertheless, do it for yourself. The project will still get done, and the health benefits to turning away from the screen are substantial.
If you look at your computer all day long as part of your job – as many of us do – then the odds are high that you suffer regularly from eyestrain. Eyestrain isn’t a lasting condition. Nonetheless it can cause occasional headaches, water eyes, dry eyes, a heightened sensitivity to light and an inability to focus. In other words, it’s not very pleasant. Fortunately, the everon small-business blog recently took a look at eyestrain. What did it find? It’s relatively easy for workers to avoid this condition.
20/20/20 Rule
First, you should practice the 20/20/20 rule. Basically, this rule states that once every 20 minutes you need to take 20 seconds to look at an object that is 20 feet or more away from you. The reason? This forces your eyes to focus on something that’s not a glowing computer screen. Additionally, it gives your eyes somewhat of a workout. The everon blog indicates that every 20 minutes you walk take a 20-second break to walk 20 feet or more. This is not only good for your eyes, but for your overall health and mental state, too.
Reminders
Nevertheless how do you remember to take these breaks? Fortuitously, everon lists several apps that will help. For instance, there’s Workrave, which sends a message on your screen when it’s time to take your micro-break. Workrave also suggests specific exercises that will help keep your eyes healthy. If you don’t enjoy this app, you can also try EyeLeo, where an animated leopard walks you through short exercises for your eyes. EyeLeo will blank out your computer screen when it’s time to have a break.
Coffee Break
Another favorite reminder app is Coffee Break, even though it is only available for Apple devices. This app will slowly darken your screen as a pre-arranged break time nears. You’ll certainly be encouraged to take that important break as your screen gets darker and darker. Needless to say, no app can make you take a health break. Nevertheless, do it for yourself. The project will still get done, and the health benefits to turning away from the screen are substantial.