FitSugar

Bugging Out: How to Deal With Computer Eye Strain

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:00:00 PDT

If staring at a computer screen all day has your eyes bugging out, try this simple trick for a little relief.

Start by rubbing your palms together for about 10 seconds to build up heat in your hands.
Place the heels of your hands lightly over your eyes and block out as much light as you can. Allow your finger tips to gently press into your forehead because chances are high it is tense, too.
Hang out in the "dark" for five to 10 slow breaths. While you're breathing, focus on allowing all the tension in your face and jaw to release.

While it is not quite the same as lying on the couch with a lavender eye pillow, it works well in a pinch.

Don't Forget to Blink

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:00:00 PDT

When working at a computer we tend to blink about five times less than usual. Blinking might seem like an unimportant activity, but it lubricates eyes. Having dry eyes is not only irritating, but it can interfere with your ability to get your work done and get out of the office.

Here's a handy little exercise to help you remember to blink. Every 20 minutes, slowly close your eyes 10 times. These slow, steady blinks will help lubricate your eyes and lessen any computer strain you might being feeling in your peepers.

Fit's Tip: If you drink a lot at your desk while working on the computer, slowly blink your eyes whenever you take a sip of your beverage.

Source

Computer Eye Strain

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 15:15:00 PST

If you find that you are spending more and more time on the computer these day (the Sugar sites are insanely addictive), your eyes might be paying the price.

It seems that when we stare at a computer monitor for extended periods of time we forget to blink. Weird, huh? Not blinking allows the natural moisture in our eyes to evaporate, then we get dry, irritated eyes. Dry eyes can manifest symptomatically in a variety of ways including: double vision, color fringes and heavy, blurry, gritty or fatigued sensations.

One major eye irritant can be a drastic contrast between the brightness of the screen and the area surrounding the screen. So do not work in a dark room or with a bright light directly behind the screen. Also avoid sun glare on your monitor and do not sit in front of a large window.

Try to take a break for 10 minutes once an hour (that is great for the rest of your body too, but might not be possible with your work load) and blink frequently. Go ahead - BLINK a few times RIGHT NOW. Your eyes will thank you.

Healthy Computing: How to Create an Ergonomic Desk

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 01:39:47 PDT

You might not be able to swing a professional ergonomic evaluation, but you can make simple changes to your desk environment to sit up a little bit straighter and avoid neck, wrist, and back strains. While ergonomics is about proper seating position, it also includes common habits you might be unaware of, like your line of sight toward a computer screen and how you type. Try out these adjustments to your work space and your moving habits, and tell us if you notice the difference.

To sit ergonomically, your knees and ankles and shoulders to wrists should be positioned in 90-degree angles to your keyboard. If you are on the shorter side, keep a footrest underneath your desk, so your feet aren't dangling. Your back should remain neutral, with something supporting your lumbar spine. Here's a helpful diagram of correct sitting and typing ergonomics.
Keep your keyboard, mouse, and phone within your forearm's length. When you are typing or clicking on your mouse, your wrists should be in a neutral position (not angled up or down) and up in the air rather than rested on the table or on a squishy "wrist support." Resting your wrists actually places greater strain on the sensitive tendons. Also, your elbows should remain close to your body throughout the day.

Find out more tips by clicking here.

Earn More Money By Changing Up Your Office Space

LearnVest — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:15:07 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Most of us spend about 40 hours per week at work - in other words, the majority of our waking hours.

And nearly all of those hours are spent sitting at our desks. It’s a definite problem - and not just because we’re missing happy hour or quality couch time at home.

There’s no shortage of discouraging research pointing out the evils of a sedentary lifestyle and claiming that sitting will actually shorten our lives.

But, conversely, making a few tweaks to the way you sit - and the space you sit in - all day has been proven to make you a happier, healthier worker, busy earning your killer salary.

And, scientists say, the happier you are, the more you tend to earn.

In an effort to make the time spent at our desks as productive (and as profitable) as possible, we’ve combed the research for the easiest, most effective tips to soothe your mind and body when trapped in a cubicle . . . or corner office.

Just follow these four steps.

1. Make It Comfy

When we say “comfy,” we mean “ergonomic.” It’s an unfriendly word for a friendly concept: basically it means “intended to provide optimum comfort and to avoid stress or injury.” Friendly, right? Besides, an awkward workspace can lead to major health issues, including disorders in your joints or tendons, so a little tweaking of your cubicle can go a long way for your well-being. Line up your body correctly by following these two principles:

Your feet should be flat on the floor and your elbows should be even with your desk. This can be achieved either through adjustable chairs or - if chairs are a hot commodity at your office - a combination of step stools and pillows.

Read on for more tips.

5 Healthy Breaks to Take Every Workday

Leta Shy — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:43:48 PST

If you're prone to sitting down most of the day at work, chances are you're often in need of a break. Here are five ways to keep your body feeling healthy and happy during those eight hours in your chair.

Rest your eyes: Those pupils need a rest. Reduce eye strain by closing your eyes or looking away from your screen for a few seconds every 15 minutes. Here are more tips for keeping your eyes healthy when using a computer.
Do some desk stretches: Chair stretches energize and relieve tension. Get in the habit of stretching when you feel tense or notice your posture is failing. We've got lots of stretches you can do at your desk to relieve neck and shoulder tension.
Exercise with a purpose: Being deskbound for so long can make us forget that we should be moving more. Try taking a five-minute walking break every hour or so when you need to get things done - take the longer route to the kitchen or bathroom, or go up and down a few flights of stairs while you're brainstorming. It's a good way to combat the dangerous effects of sitting down for so long.
Take a noncoffee break: Warm up with a cup of green tea; it'll help fill up your stomach to curb cravings, and you'll be getting a lot more disease-fighting antioxidants than if you reach for the coffee pot.
Relax the wrists: If you've been feeling twinges of pain, cramps, or other discomfort while you type away, be sure to regularly stretch your wrists. Here are five stretches to do to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.

Attack of the Zombie Eyes

Michelle Phan — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 04:30:00 PDT

We're excited to continue our partnership with YouTube star and all-around beauty guru Michelle Phan! Every other week, we'll be bringing you the best from her website, MichellePhan.com. This week, Michelle is sharing some clever, easy home remedies that really work on under-eye circles:

Hi everyone,

These days, many of us spend a good portion of our time staring at screens (computer, TV, phone, etc.), which, if you're not careful, can take a serious toll on your eyes. Straining your eyes can overwork the blood vessels in the sensitive skin underneath the eyes, causing them to look darker and purpler, aka zombie eyes!

See Michelle's gorgeous eyeliner looks for each day of the week

To decrease your chances of developing dark circles, make an effort to take a 15-minute break for every hour you spend on the computer (that goes for gaming too!). You could walk around, or simply stop what you're doing to enjoy some tea or a glass of water. No matter what you decide to do, committing to a 15-minute break for the sake of your precious peepers can make a big difference. However, if the damage is already done, try these simple tricks to soothe and heal tired zombie eyes:

Dealing With Office Eyes

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:50:55 PST

Staring at a computer all day can take a toll on your peepers. Chances are if you're reading FitSugar you're on a computer a fair bit, so I thought I'd share these helpful tips my optometrist gave me on dealing with the eyestrain that accompanies office work.

Take eye breaks. Be sure to look away from your screen every 15 minutes - if not more. Look at something close up (check out your cuticles) and something far away, to help exercise your depth perception. It’s especially smart to look out a window when searching to focus your eyes on something in the distance.
Remember to blink! When staring at a computer screen we tend to blink about five times less than usual. Blinking might seem like an unimportant activity, but it lubricates eyes so they work smoothly.
Eye-cercise. Eye exercises look silly, but they help. A private place to do them is in the bathroom; take a minute to do eye circles, diagonals, and long blinks. Yep, you can alleviate some eyestrain by working out your baby blues. Unforch, these moves don't count as strength training.

Hope your eyes don't feel too strained because I have plenty more tips, so continue reading.