Avoiding Computer Headaches
Computers have become a way of life. Not only do they provide access to communication and information, they also help lessen the burden of everyday activities of human society. Computers are used to automate repetitive tasks for faster production, store data and information, as means of entertainment and other activities for growth and development. Although computers are indeed very beneficial in so many ways, continued use may cause eyestrain and headaches. The following information below will give you some ideas on avoiding computer headaches and the possible reasons why they happen.
Sometimes work demands that you stay and work in front of the computer screen for long periods of time. Among kids and school children, there is the frequent use of the computer when they do research for projects or play online games. In most of these cases, headaches and eyestrain are very frequent, and when left unchecked, may cause more serious health problems. Some of the more common ways in avoiding computer headaches are as follows:
- Especially for those who are making use of CRT monitors, you need to set the proper monitor refresh rate level. The recommended setting is 75Hz. Having the refresh rate too low will usually show a flickering screen, and this will be the cause of the headache.
- Proper posture plays a big role in avoiding computer headaches. Studies show that whenever you have your head tilted and your neck juts forward, keeping this position for a long time compresses the muscles and nerves at the base of the skull. Slumping also causes what health professionals call the Forward Head Posture (FHP) syndrome. To keep the stress and strain from happening often, see that your ears are in line with your shoulders. You may also imagine something like a cord attached to your head and is pulling toward the ceiling. These postures will help maintain body posture to prevent headaches.
- Always check that you have enough light within your work or study area when you use computers. Avoid working in the dark and keep light in balance. This goes the same with setting the size of your computer screen to the appropriate size. Keeping the correct lighting and screen size lessens the frequency of squinting just to get a good look at the monitor.
- Some eye glasses are used to address concerns for Computer Visions Syndrome (CVS), most notably due to prolonged computer use and may cause vision problems. It is best to consult an eyecare professional to give you the proper advice on the matter.
Avoiding computer headaches is easy when you follow these simple steps. Taking care of your eyes and body posture will prevent more serious illnesses of this nature in the future.
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