Let’s face it—most of us spend six to eight hours a day glued to our screens. Whether you’re typing up emails, running Zoom meetings, managing your team, or crunching numbers, that continuous focus can take its toll—especially on your eyes. Here’s why it’s so important to build regular screen breaks into your day, and how a few simple habits can make a big difference.

What’s going on behind the screen?

When you stare at a screen for a long stretch, your blinking slows down—like windshield wipers that stop cleaning the glass. That dry, gritty feeling? That’s because your eyes are drying out. Your eye muscles can get exhausted too from holding focus so intently. That can result in blurry vision, headaches, neck tension, and general eye fatigue.

This cluster of symptoms is known as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) or digital eye strain, affecting up to 90% of people who use screens for three or more hours a day.

The simple but powerful 20-20-20 Rule

To give your eyes a breather, follow the 20‑20‑20 rule: every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds to look at something 20 feet away. It’s like making your eyes uncurl from their tight fist and giving them a mini holiday.

Australians working from home or managing screens all day can especially benefit. Even better: set a timer, or use an app reminder. One optometrist compared the effect to unclenching a fist—your eyes deserve that same relief.

Why these mini-breaks work

1. They let eye muscles reset

When you shift your focus to something distant, your eye muscles relax and can recover. This helps prevent blurry vision and fatigue.

2. They encourage blinking

Blinking is critical—it moistens your eyes and reduces dryness. Break time gives your blinking a nudge.

3. They sharpen focus and productivity

A quick change in activity—looking into the distance, breathing, or stretching—resets your brain and helps you return to work more focused and creative.

Tips for better screen time habits

Here are some practical ways to care for your eyes and stay sharp throughout the workday:

• Use the 20‑20‑20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
• Take longer screen breaks: aim for a 5-minute break each hour—stretch your legs, look outside, or just breathe.
• Maintain good posture and setup: keep your screen at eye level, about an arm’s length away, and avoid glare.
• Keep screens clean and lighting gentle: glare and smudges make your eyes work harder.
• Use preservative‑free eye drops if your eyes feel dry—preventive use is best.
• Limit screen time before bed: blue light can interfere with sleep, so winding down screen use improves both rest and eye comfort.
• Get your eyes checked regularly—especially if symptoms persist. Sometimes a simple prescription tweak or reading glasses can help.

Aussie work culture tip

If you’re a business owner, modelling these habits can help your team too. Encourage micro-breaks, promote good workstation builds, and foster a culture where everyone knows it’s okay to step away—because, in fact, productivity and wellbeing go hand in hand.

Final thoughts

Screens are a part of modern business life, but your eyes weren’t designed for constant focus up close. Breaking every 20 minutes with even a short rest helps protect your eyes, reduce fatigue, and keep you feeling sharp and ready for what’s next. It’s not just about vision—it’s about sustaining energy and wellbeing, day in, day out.

EXCITING NEWS

The search for ways to help YOU succeed has to be relentless otherwise it will never be found!

To that end, we have begun planning for our next Global Business Camp to be held in February 2027, again on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Keep your eyes on our website for more details in the coming months about final dates, venue and registration options.

And if you are a business that would like to get your brand in front of 160+ small to medium businesses, give us a call on (08) 8423 6177 or email graeme@globalbusinesscamps.com.au so we can provide further details.