You may not be aware of it, but as you read this online article, you are absorbing something called blue light. All digital devices emit this low-wavelength, high-energy light. Blue light itself is not harmful; it is naturally emitted by the sun. Indeed, blue-light can be good. It is known to boost alertness and improve cognitive functions and memory. It also helps to regulate the body’s natural sleep cycle. However, screens produce blue light at higher levels than the sun, and overexposure to blue light from devices can lead to a variety of health issues, ranging from digital eye strain to retinal cell damage. Digital blue light can cause mental and emotional health disorders, as well.
The white sunlight of the sun is made up of between 25% and 30% blue light. As sunlight lessens through the afternoon, the blue light reduces, which gets our bodies into night-mode. On the other hand, screens emit around 35% blue light, and because most people continue using screens in the evening, that means their natural blue light intake becomes interfered.
Seeing as most people spend too long in front of screens, whether it be for work or leisure, it is important that people are aware of how much they are being exposed to blue light. If you are one of the people who spend a lot of time in front of a screen, the good news is there are various ways to protect yourself against harmful blue light.
Resting Your Eyes
The easiest way to reduce overexposure to digital blue light is to take regular breaks away from your screen. Experts recommend taking a break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. The 20-20-20 rule can help you to avoid eyestrain. However, if you are sitting in front of a screen all day for work, this option may not be possible. But if you only use your device for fun things like watching funny YouTube videos and playing games like blackjack and roulette at Casumo casino, regularly resting your eyes is a great tactic to use.
Using Screen Filters
A simple option to help limit the overexposure of digital blue light is to purchase a special screen filter to fit over the front of your device. Screen filters are great for absorbing harmful blue light, and they are inexpensive too.
Using Blue Light Blocking Glasses
One of the most popular ways of blocking out blue light is to wear a pair of special glasses. There are many blue-light-blocking glasses on the market, with varying levels of protection. High-quality glasses will protect you from all sources of blue light. They have recently become very popular with gaming enthusiasts and people who work in front of screens all day.
Eye Nutrition
Sometimes nature has the best remedies. It is possible to support your eyes’ natural protection by consuming foods or supplements that are rich in specific nutrients. The three main ones are lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin. The first two can be food in foods like spinach, kale, and other leafy greens. The latter can be found in some fish.
Avoiding Eye Strain
You can avoid eye strain from using devices by making some simple changes. Firstly, adjusting the brightness of your screen is a fantastic way to reduce eyestrain. You can either increase or decrease the brightness to match the light levels in the room so that your eyes do not struggle with the contrast. You can also adjust the lighting in your room or your position. Low light levels force your eyes to work harder. Similarly, very bright light, such as sunlight pouring through a window, can create a glare that also causes eyestrain. So, adjust the lighting in the room and work in a position where your window is perpendicular to your screen. Looking at your screen at the right height also helps to reduce eyestrain. It is recommended the top of your monitor is in line with your eyes and around 20 to 30 inches away.
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