How does staring at a computer all day affect the body?

Spending hours a day sitting in front of a computer has become a common practice in today’s digital age. This has led to a number of health problems affecting various parts of the body.

Not only computers, but looking at electronic device screens such as smartphones and tablets for too long also leads to the following changes in the body:

Computer vision syndrome

Working long hours on the computer not only causes dry eyes but can also cause headaches.

PHOTO: AI

Computer vision syndrome, also known as digital eye strain, is a condition that includes a variety of eye-related problems, including eye fatigue, blurred vision, and headaches caused by eye strain. These problems stem from factors such as poor lighting, screen glare, inappropriate viewing distances, and having refractive errors without wearing glasses, according to the US health website Healthline .

The American Optometric Association recommends that to reduce computer vision syndrome, people apply the 20-20-20 rule. Specifically, every 20 minutes of looking at the screen, take a 20-second break and look at an object 20 feet away, equivalent to about 6 meters. Setting up the workspace, such as using a larger screen, larger font size, and adjusting the sitting posture properly also helps reduce eye strain.

Headache

Using a computer for long hours can also cause headaches and migraines, often due to eye strain and poor posture. Constantly focusing on the screen can strain the eye muscles, leading to tension headaches.

Additionally, poor posture, such as placing the monitor at the wrong height or using a poor quality chair, can strain the neck and shoulder muscles, contributing to headaches. To reduce pain, people need to maintain regular breaks and sit properly at work.

Dry eyes

Staring at a screen for long periods of time often reduces the rate at which you blink, causing your eyes to become dry and irritated. This dryness causes discomfort, redness, and a gritty, gritty feeling in your eyes.

To reduce dry eyes, experts recommend that in addition to following the 20-20-20 rule and taking regular breaks, you can use eye drops, such as artificial tears. Prioritize choosing preservative-free eye drops. At the same time, users also need to ensure appropriate screen lighting and reduce screen glare, according to Healthline.