How Screen Time Triggers Headaches
By Sandy Schroeder
Most of us spend a stunning amount of time peering at a computer or bending over our phones. In the process, eye strain can trigger a relentless trail of headaches. All of that focused concentration can make life a pain. As you move from work to social connections and back again, your eyes may be struggling to keep up.
WellAndGood looked at the problem recently and came up with some specifics that may help you and your headaches.
Diagnosing Eye Strain
Eye strain headaches are popping up more often as we move from our phones to our tablets and back to our computers. Our eyes keep moving and then start complaining as the eyes have to focus and refocus countless times. When your eyes roam around a dozen different sites and struggle to keep up, a lot of things happen to make your eyes hurt.
The eyes blink very little - The stream of changes puts more pressure on the eyes and causes them to dry out, often leading to headaches.
The focus becomes more intense - As the eye adjusts from one site to another, it has to work harder.
More Eye Strain Triggers
You may add to the problem with other issues.
- Working in poor light strains the eyes
- Struggling to see small print adds to the problem
- Lack of sleep or stressful conditions contribute
- Driving long distances without stopping
Pinning Down the Problem
Mayo Clinic suggests pinning down the problem by reviewing where and when headaches occur. If they show up after long computer work sessions, or other very focused efforts in poor light, eye strain is probably the cause. At the same time, you may also have aching in the forehead, back of the neck or temples.
Finding Relief
Take some steps to ease the problem.
- Take eye breaks every 20 minutes
- Look away from the screen at something in the distance
- Hold your thumb up, focus on it, then switch back
- Enlarge the font size on your computer
- Turn up the screen brightness
- Use eye drops regularly
- Evaluate your home and work lighting for screen and other complex tasks
- Mix short breaks into regular work sessions
If the problem persists, see your ophthalmologist for an assessment and follow up with a visit to your chiropractor for more relief assistance. The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you is well equipped to help you sort through all sorts of painful issues.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Schaumburg, Ill.