The average person in the developed world spends approximately seven hours each day in front of an electronic screen. Some people approach 12 hours of exposure daily.

All of that time can change how your body reacts to the rest of the world. Over half of the people who work on computers daily experience a problem called Computer Vision Syndrome.

This condition’s symptoms are variable, but they can include blurred vision, eyestrain, back discomfort, neck pain, and headaches.

It may also be affecting the long-term vision of the general population. According to Business Insider, 90% of teens and adults in Asia are already nearsighted, and the rates found in the United States have almost doubled since 1971.

Sitting Isn’t the Only Problematic Issue

Although the passive days in front of screens are problematic for individual health, it isn’t the only risk factor in play when dealing with a screen all day.

The modern computer, television, and mobile device screens emit an array of lightwaves that our brains process. It’s the same experience that we get from the sun. The three primary “colors” are red, green, and blue.

We know that blue wavelengths are a component of the human circadian rhythm. If we get too much of it late at night, it becomes harder to get to sleep. Your body produces less melatonin with exposure, making it harder to reach a healthy state.

That means you feel tired the next morning. The fatigue causes you to eat unhealthy foods for a quick energy rush, creating an adverse spiral that quickly spins out of control.

How to Fight Computer Vision Syndrome

If you must sit in front of a computer for long periods, try to take a break every hour. Spend about five minutes, focusing on something far away from where you’re sitting.

It also helps to get up and move around. Even a couple of minutes of stretching can help your body during prolonged sitting periods.

Eating a healthy diet is also critical to the process. When you get all of the vitamins and minerals needed for ongoing wellness, each body system as more resilience to the effects of prolonged screen time.