Do you Struggle with Staying in Focus?

Written by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation staff

In today's busy work environments, digital tools and communication platforms are essential for getting things done. Studies show that the average office worker spends 6-8 hours a day on screens, and this can affect both personal and company well-being.

The "always-connected" culture means employees are expected to be available for work communication at any time, even after hours. This has become more common with remote work and digital tools. It includes constant notifications, texts after work hours, and the feeling of urgency to respond quickly.

Screen fatigue, or digital eye strain, happens when people spend too much time on screens like computers, phones, or other devices. Employees with desk jobs or those who are always "on-call" after hours might experience symptoms like:

• Eye discomfort or dryness

• Headaches and migraines

• Blurry vision

• Neck and shoulder pain

While technology can make work easier and faster, it can also cause problems for employees, especially with the culture of constant communication. These issues can hurt physical health, mental health, productivity, and morale. So, how can companies better understand these challenges?

To help employees, companies can encourage regular breaks, like the 20-20-20 rule (look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes). Employers can also limit afterhours messages to create healthier work-life boundaries.

Employees can help by turning off work notifications outside of work hours and setting clear expectations for when they’re available. They can even schedule time on their calendars to focus without distractions.