With the start of the holiday season comes a big increase in screen time. Between virtual get-togethers, online shopping, and cozy holiday movie marathons, your eyes may be working overtime. And while these activities bring plenty of joy, they can also leave your eyes feeling tired and strained. Fortunately, a few simple adjustments can help you stay comfortable throughout the celebrations.

Adapt Your Set-Up

To help prevent digital eye strain, you want to keep your eyes moistened. Blinking is the natural way to do that but when we use digital devices, we tend blink less often. To counteract this, position your screen to just below eye level. This trick helps you to unconsciously blink more. If that is not feasible, try using artificial tear drops to keep your eyes comfortably moisturized.

Adjust the Lighting

Glare from lamps, overhead lights, or even bright windows can contribute to discomfort. To help with easing eye strain, you can dim the lights or change their position in the room. You can also try using shades to diffuse any sunlight. Whenever you change the surrounding lighting, make sure to adjust your device’s brightness, too. You want it bright enough to read easily without feeling harsh.

Follow the Rules

The best way to protect your eyes against eye strain from digital devices is to take regular breaks using the “20-20-20” rule. Every 20 minutes, you shift your eyes away from your device and look at an object 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This may be easier said than done during a busy holiday season, but even just closing your eyes for a few seconds can help to re-moisten your eyes and help relieve some strain.

Homeopathic Help

When holiday festivities drag you away from reorganizing your office space or it seems too hectic to take a break, homeopathic medicines can help you find eye strain relief. For symptoms of minor eye strain, such as fatigue, burning, and tired eyes*, try the Ruta Bonus Pack. Ruta graveolens meltaway pellets dissolve under the tongue without water and relieve eye strain from digital devices, artificial or poor light, and visually demanding tasks.* For an easy, economical way to customize your eye care, try Boiron’s Home Office & Gamer Essentials Bundle. This bundle includes five medicines for the price of four, including Ruta graveolens, that help to alleviate the effects of prolonged sitting and screen use. Whether you are new to homeopathy or an experienced user, this bundle is a must-have for anyone looking for targeted relief.

Eye strain symptoms can take the cheer out of holiday activities like movies, virtual get-togethers, and online shopping. Don’t let it. Try out these simple solutions and homeopathic medicines to find relief and get back to enjoying the season. Visit BoironUSA.com to learn more about these eye strain medicines and to order your own. For more information about eye strain and how to relieve it, check out these other Boiron blogs: Natural Remedies for Sore Eyes and An Easy Way to Avoid Eyestrain.

*Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.