In Estonia, you need to be a quick responder to enjoy the summer. Beach weather during the holidays is just a light blue dream, one that cannot be relied upon. Luckily, home office work allows you to work outdoors, and the kids can swim before sunset. But there is also a downside to all of this.
Work and vacation hand in hand or not?
The family wakes up later in the summer. With a home office, you can start in peace and quiet. I read work emails while making coffee, and the responsibilities swallow me into the computer, I forget about eating. Without even realizing it, I’ve been at the computer for over 3 hours by the time the kids wake up. I praise myself for my productivity and prepare breakfast. By this time, my stomach is quite empty, and my head is ringing suspiciously.
During breakfast, I promise the kids that we’ll head to the seaside promenade and the playground in half an hour. I try to keep an eye on work matters and discover an urgent email. Motivated kids cleaned the kitchen, packed up their things, and waited for me. However, I took much longer. The car ride – tired children bickering at home – a real challenge for patience.
Home office in the great outdoors. I indulge myself with the thought that by the evening, the tired but happy kids will fall into bed. The sunlight disturbs my concentration at the computer, and I move around the table with my chair as though I were a sundial. In addition to the fatigue, I feel discomfort from the awkward computer height causing neck tension. As a mother, I can switch off from everything around me, but focusing is difficult. Looking towards the children, I see things hazily – a real shock, which intensified the headache. I wonder, what is happening to me?
What should you consider when working on the computer?
Excessive computer work without breaks causes both headaches and eye strain. The eyes get tired from overuse. Too bright or dim light makes the eyes work harder, which tires them. Staring at a screen for long periods decreases the blink reflex, leading to dry eyes and contributing to their fatigue. Neck muscle tension or poor posture also promotes eye pain and headaches. Irregular eating, dehydration, exposure to sunlight, stress, and lack of sleep can exacerbate the problem.
Using a computer and mobile devices on the beach significantly increases eye strain. The most common issue related to screen radiation and excess sunlight is macular degeneration, or the deterioration of the yellow spot. The macula is the most light-sensitive part of the retina and is necessary for detailed and accurate vision. Macular degeneration is characterized by blurred vision, missing letters when reading, and the appearance of a dark spot in the center of the visual field. As we age, the carotenoid content in the retina decreases, and the harmful effects of blue light become more pronounced. It is worth knowing that women are in a worse position, as their risk of developing this condition is seven times greater than that of men.
What do your eyes need?
Know that your eyes need breaks several times within an hour, looking further away and blinking consciously. At the same time, release shoulder tension with exercises. For eye health, it is crucial to eat the right vegetables. The retina needs large amounts of carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin. Kale, peas, broccoli, pumpkin, and carrots contain the highest levels of lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin act as natural sunglasses, protecting the eyes from harmful UV rays and slowing macular degeneration.
If your daily diet lacks enough vegetables, you might want to consider taking eye vitamins. Protect your eyes with sunglasses in the summer, reduce screen time, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and if necessary, take eye vitamins.
Take care of your eyes, they bring color to your life, and your headache problems will decrease!
