Since the pandemic, most schools and institutions switched towards E-learning promoting the digital transformation in education which has increased the screen time of the students. Yet online learning leads to digital literacy and educates the students parallelly with digital tools. But on the other side of the coin, the students experience health concerns including the impact on the eyes as they spend more time either on tablets or laptops for online classes and lectures. Hence it’s important for students to follow health tips while attending the online classes
According to the research, students tend to face backaches and headaches with the longer online class model. Many students experience digital eye strain also known as Computer Vision Syndrome under which eye fatigue, dry eyes, and neck pain are common. To avoid these problems and eye strain it’s important to adopt good screen habits while attending online classes. Follow these health tips while E-learning to avoid the health consequences:
Take Regular Breaks: It’s important to take breaks from the screen at regular intervals to avoid eye strain. Humans blink their eyes 15 to 20 times in a minute, which reduces when they have occupied a screen. To avoid this eye strain taking a break every 20 minutes is very necessary. Students should also change their position and give themselves a walk or stretching during the respective break.
Healthy Diet and Snacks: Diet and food habits play an important role in the growth and development of a student. Healthy and nutritious food keeps them focused and filled with energy the whole day. Also, healthy snacks should be prioritised for the children while studying instead of packaged snacks and junk food.
More Water Consumption: Apart from a healthy diet and food habits, adequate water consumption is vital for students attending online classes. Parents should instruct the children to drink water regularly which not only keeps their body hydrated but also avoids dry eyes. As fruits are rich sources of fibre and water with all their vitamins and nutrients, should be given to students taking classes online.
Use a Blue light filter or Glasses: The screen of the Laptops, computers, tablets, and smartphone emits blue light which is harmful to the eyesight and discomforts the eye with its level of contrast. Blue light filters or anti-glare glasses protect the eye from the emitted rays from the screen.
Improve sleep cycle: An improved and scheduled sleep cycle is very eminent in a student’s life and plays a vital role in a whole day’s energy and workout. As the experts recommend, the 6 to 12 years students should take at least 10-12 hours of sleep. Parents must ensure more engagement of the children with the family members and in outdoor activities after the online class by avoiding more screen time for the rest of day. Early sleeping and early rising schedule help to improve the metabolism and the mental health of students which tends to increase concentration and focus on their studies.
