Do your eyes ever feel tired after spending too much time on your computer, tablet, or phone?

Screens have become part of everyday life. We use them for work, entertainment, reading, shopping, and keeping in touch with family and friends. But all that close-up focusing can leave your eyes feeling tired, dry, or uncomfortable.

Fortunately, one of the easiest ways to give your eyes some relief takes only 20 seconds.

Why Screens Can Tire Your Eyes

When we're concentrating on a screen, we tend to stare at one distance for long periods and may blink less often than usual.

This can contribute to what's commonly called digital eye strain.

You might notice:

• Tired or aching eyes
• Dry or watery eyes
• Blurred vision
• Headaches
• Difficulty refocusing
• Neck or shoulder tension

The answer isn't necessarily to stop using your devices. Giving your eyes regular breaks can help.

Try the 20-20-20 Rule

Here's an easy habit to remember:

Every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

Look out a window, across the room, or down the hallway.

Changing your focus gives the muscles involved in close-up viewing a brief opportunity to relax.

You don't have to time it perfectly. The important part is remembering to look away from your screen regularly.

Don't Forget to Blink

It sounds almost too simple, but blinking matters.

When we're absorbed in something on a screen, our blinking can decrease. Blinking helps spread tears across the surface of the eye and keeps it lubricated.

Every so often, deliberately blink several times slowly.

Your eyes may appreciate the reminder.

Check Your Screen Setup

A few small adjustments can make screen time more comfortable.

Try to:

• Reduce glare from windows or bright lights
• Keep the screen at a comfortable viewing distance
• Increase text size rather than leaning toward the screen
• Adjust brightness so the screen isn't dramatically brighter than the room
• Keep the screen clean and easy to read

Comfort matters more than having everything set to a particular measurement.

Take a Real Break Too

The 20-20-20 rule is useful, but it doesn't replace getting away from the screen occasionally.

Stand up, stretch, refill your water, walk around the house, or step outside for a few minutes.

Your eyes, neck, shoulders, and mind all get a break at the same time.

Quick Tip

Use something you already do as your reminder.

Every time you finish an email, refill your coffee, or answer the phone, glance away from the screen and focus on something farther away.

That makes eye breaks part of your normal day instead of another task to remember.

The Takeaway

Our eyes weren't designed to stare at a screen continuously for hours.

A few seconds spent looking into the distance, blinking normally, and taking regular breaks can make long periods of screen use more comfortable.

So every once in a while:

Look up. Look away. Give your eyes a break.