Striking a Balance.

From the 'virtual' desk of a well-wisher.

This coronage, our corneas  have tasted all sorts of screens, small or big (or bigger), binging over web series and movies and social media.

Even our two lugholes (I just mean human ears, but somehow need to stretch, you see) couldn’t keep themselves away from earphones.

Over the past few months, we have spent little time outdoors and too much indoors on screens. The lockdown has led to the ‘embrace’ of technology like never before.

*world turned upside down

Let me present to you the indictment of the scenario with help from some reports:

* The World Council of Optometry predicted that by 2050 half of the world’s population will be myopic.

* The WHO estimates that around a billion young people across the globe could be at the risk of hearing loss because of unsafe listening habits using earphones.

 Children who get addicted to the internet and gadgets may not be able to develop interpersonal skills and may not have the inclination to develop essential social skills. Excessive internet use may also affect children’s emotional quotient (EQ) and social quotient (SQ).

Don’t you think it’s fatal enough?(Won't bore you with more facts or reports)

Legit enough to continue reading, if you have come this far.

Since the use of gadgets is inescapable (Did you hear your phone say “I am inevitable”. LOL), there’s always a need to STRIKE A BALANCE.

 Here’s what you can do for your eye health:

* T-20 rule: Every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

* Blink : Blinking 15 times every minute is recommended to avoid dryness in the eyes.

* Correct eyegonomics :

Smartphone must be viewed at an angle below the eyebrows. Hold the device at a comfortable distance. Never use it in a dark room. There shouldn’t be any light reflecting on the screen. (blah blah and blah)

Okay okay, dear reader, just some nitty-gritties for your own well being.

Forego all devices at least 2 hours before you go to sleep to maintain good eye heath. Seems way too ideal? Kyu? (after all, ideal is something which cannot happen or doesn’t exist).

Don’t worry, half an hour shall suffice. Phone naa chalau toh kya karu? Stories dekhna zaroori hai, posts bhi toh scroll hote hai mujhe.

Now, here. Take a pause for you are going to be served with one of the most invaluable advice for a lifetime : Just pick up a good BOOK and start reading. Just Read, Read. Read. You'll require patience only for the first few pages, and slowly it may turn out to be an addiction. Believe me.

Sorry. I won’t recommend any proper exercises or ‘yoga’ for I myself will not follow them, nor will you.

Practices to save your hearing in this new norm (good to skim through the points once)

* Prefer using headphones over earphones.

* Clean your earphones from time to time. Dirty ones increase the possibility of ear infection.

* Limit the volume.

* 60/60 rule : Listen at 60% of the max volume for no more than 60 mins at a time.

* Take frequent breaks from the exposure.

 Hope you find this particular post worth sharing with your folk.

TC. Ciao.