Do You Spend Countless Hours Looking at a Screen? This Can Help
In today's day and age, it can be hard to avoid screens.
Whether you have Zoom classes, online assignments or are addicted to online shopping, there are so many things that keep us coming back to our devices—but there are a few things that can help avoid screens (or at least lessen screen time). Need help? Here are a few ideas.
Avoid Screens in the Bedroom
Using screens before bed can affect your sleep. The blue light emitted by your devices can prevent you from feeling tired, as it delays melatonin production. By using a device late at night, you are stimulating your brain before it's time to go to bed, which is not the best idea. After all, it's so much easier to sleep when your mind is at ease. Balancing screen time usage and having quality shut eye is important not only for your sleep, but for your overall well-being as well.
Consider leaving your devices outside of your bedroom, setting a time limit or putting your devices on night mode to reduce the impact of your devices at night. And if you have a hard time falling asleep at night try, reading a book or drinking chamomile tea instead of starring at a bright screen.
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Blue Light-Blocking Glasses
Blue light-blocking glasses are some of the best products you can use to conquer the impact of your devices on your eyes. The blue light given off by devices reportedly can make it harder to focus on the screen, forcing eyes to strain in order to concentrate. Blue light-blocking glasses reduce eye strain by increasing contrast—as well as reducing the negative effects of nighttime blue light. Consider getting in the habit of wearing blue light-blocking glasses every time you use a screen.
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Take Frequent Breaks
Taking small, but frequent, breaks from looking at your screen can do wonders. Whether you're stepping outside to be active, or simply looking away and counting to 20, any break can prevent eye strain. And if it's tough for you to remember to take breaks, you can remind yourself by setting alerts on your devices. Taking breaks also helps your visual system relax, preventing overall fatigue.
Certain studies have shown that large amounts of screen time can produce migraines in young adults, as well as behaviors that can lead to weight gain and increased risk of stress and loneliness. Make sure you are taking breaks and giving yourself the time you need away from screens.
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Avoid Binge-Watching
This can be hard for anyone—especially when you have a subscription to Netflix. It's all too easy for one episode to become a whole evening binge. When you can, stretch out your favorite shows not only to make them last, but also so that you don't spend hours and hours vegging in front of the TV. Even when it's hard, it's healthy to take breaks between episodes, especially if you can do simple stretches or workouts in between. And when that "Are you still watching?" message comes up, maybe that's a sign that you've had too much.
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And if you don't already have a pair of blue light glasses, click HERE to find the trendiest ones.