The Missouri Optometric Association is one of my clients, and over the years of working with them, I’ve learned so much about taking better care of my eyes.
In this digital age, one of things that’s proven most helpful is the 20-20-20 rule.
Every 20 minutes,
look at something that’s 20 feet away
for at least 20 seconds.
Every 20 Minutes
I tell myself: “Oh, I’ll just keep track and look at the clock on my computer,” but 20 minutes can come and go in a heartbeat, and “I’ll look away just as soon as I finish this one thing” turns into 2 hours of concentrated screen time.
Set. A. Timer.
And put the blasted thing across the room from where you sit.
Select an annoying sound effect.
Look at Something 20 Feet Away
Get out a tape measure and see how far 20 feet actually is.
Look across the room or down the hallway. Gaze out a window.
Blink.
For at Least 20 Seconds
Give your eyes a rest.
Add it all up, and it takes only one minute out of every hour. That’s less than ten minutes in a regular work day.
You’ll help prevent dry eye and screen time headaches.
Bonus!
If you get up and walk around while you’re doing your 20 seconds, you’re also building the good habit of avoiding prolonged periods of sitting.