Did you know? An American adult can spend up to half their time—12 hours a day—in front of a screen.

Some of those hours may be necessary for work or school, but still, that’s half our lives. Too much time spent on digital devices can lead to problems from headache and eye strain to weight gain and sleeplessness.

Our team at AFC Urgent Care Clemson can help you strategize ways you and your family can improve your health by spending less time on your screens.

What Is Computer Vision Syndrome?

Do you get headaches, blurry vision, dry eyes or an aching neck after sitting at your computer for too long? You may be experiencing computer vision syndrome (CVS).

Poor lighting, glare, bad posture and too much or little distance between you and your monitor can lead to CVS.

Computer Vision Tips

• Adjust your chair and desk height.
• Invest in anti-glare screen or glasses.
• Experiment with your brightness and resolution until they’re comfortable.
• Position your screen just slightly below eye level, around 2 feet from your eyes.

How Do Screens Impact My Health?

Too much time on computers, phones and television has been linked to weight gain, sedentary behavior, insomnia and depression. These, in turn, can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

You may have to use computers for work and studying, but a few adjustments can help you plan your screen time efficiently so you can live more of your life offline.

Get the Most Out of Your Screen Time

• Working from home? Reserve your computer hours for work. Need a break? Don’t tab over to social media—step away from your desk.
• Pare your phone down to apps you really need.
• Have a hard “screens off” evening deadline. After that, focus on family time, taking a stroll or enjoying a warm bath.

Want to talk with a provider about your health? Make an AFC TeleCare appointment with our AFC Urgent Care Clemson team right away!