Eight hours a day at the screen – hard to escape, but possible to ease...

 

When we think about office work and sitting at a desk, the conversation usually revolves around the spine. Most of us are familiar with recommendations for an ergonomic chair, proper monitor height, or ideal sitting position. Yet, amid this focus on posture, we tend to forget about another part of the body that works just as hard throughout the day – our eyes. In modern life, we are constantly surrounded by screens – computers, phones, tablets, and televisions.

In this article, we’ll explore how our daily routines affect eye health, why completely avoiding screens isn’t realistic, and how to reduce the negative impact of prolonged screen exposure.

 

Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Modern life – work, learning, and entertainment in front of screens
3. Consequences of long screen exposure
4. Light, color, and materials – allies of healthy eyes
5. Natural cork – not just sustainable but also relaxing
6. How to incorporate natural cork into your interior?
7. Everyday habits that support eye health
8. Summary
9. FAQ

 

Modern life – work, learning, and entertainment in front of screens

Two decades ago, screen use was limited to just a few hours a day – typically while working on a computer or watching TV in the evening. Today, screens have become a constant companion: at work, at home, during commutes, while studying, and even during leisure. Our smartphones have turned into personal control centers – tools for communication, payments, planning, shopping, entertainment, and education. Computer monitors, meanwhile, serve as our window to the professional and academic world, often for eight, ten, or more hours a day.

It’s nearly impossible to escape screens – they are part of the modern rhythm of life. Remote work, online classes, video conferencing, and digital communication tools have made screen time not only a necessity but a social standard. In many professions, it’s simply impossible to work without a computer.

And while we can’t always avoid this, the digital world also offers countless advantages – access to information, staying in touch with loved ones, career opportunities, and greater flexibility. The challenge begins when the boundary between work and habit blurs, leaving our eyes constantly engaged without a proper break.

 

Consequences of long screen exposure

Our eyes weren’t built to focus on one short distance for extended periods. In natural conditions, our gaze shifts constantly, allowing the eye muscles to work flexibly. Working on a computer or phone, however, forces the same muscles to remain tense and focused on a point just a few dozen centimeters away. The result? Eye strain – dryness, burning, blurry vision, and that familiar feeling of tired, heavy eyes.

This set of symptoms is commonly referred to as Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). It increasingly affects younger groups – students, office employees, and anyone who uses digital devices in their free time. Typical signs include blurred vision, light sensitivity, excessive tearing or dryness, and mild pain around the eyes or forehead.

Prolonged exposure to blue light from screens can make matters worse. This high-energy light contributes to quicker eye fatigue and disrupts the circadian rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep or relax after work. Many people who work late on their computers report difficulty sleeping or feeling overstimulated after finishing their tasks.

Chronic eye strain also affects the brain. When our eyes are overworked, the brain expends more energy to maintain focus and process visual data. As a result, we tire faster, our attention span decreases, and productivity drops. The eyes, in this sense, become a reflection of our overall fatigue.

 

Light, color, and materials – allies of healthy eyes

Our eyes respond to everything around them – light, color, contrast, and texture. The environment we spend hours in front of a screen directly influences visual comfort and fatigue levels. A thoughtfully designed space can support our eyesight, while poor lighting or color schemes can lead to greater strain and discomfort.

The key factor is lighting – its quality, direction, and brightness. Harsh, cold LED light can be just as tiring as insufficient illumination. Ideally, lighting should be evenly diffused with a color temperature close to natural daylight, avoiding glare or reflections on the screen. During the day, use as much natural light as possible, but avoid direct sunlight on your monitor – placing your desk sideways to a window is usually best. In the evening, switch to warmer tones that help your eyes relax and support healthy sleep patterns.

Interior colors also play a key role. Bright, contrasting colors may look stimulating, but over time they tire the eyes. Softer shades like beige, gray, green, or brown bring harmony and calmness, allowing your eyes to rest. Such tones ensure that the screen doesn’t dominate your field of view and help the eyes naturally shift between focus points.

Textures and materials are equally important. Matte, natural, non-reflective surfaces – like wood, fabric, or natural cork – help diffuse light and minimize glare, reducing the micro-tension of eye muscles. Unlike glossy finishes or cool metals, soft and warm materials create a visually calm and relaxing environment.

 

Natural cork – not just sustainable but also relaxing

Natural cork has recently reemerged in interior design – not only as a sustainable option but also as a material that positively engages the senses. Its unique properties make it a perfect companion for the eyes in today’s work and study environments.

At the core of its appeal is the texture of natural cork – soft, irregular, and delicately porous. This structure diffuses light instead of reflecting it sharply, creating a gentler environment for the eyes. In rooms filled with glossy, flat surfaces, natural cork restores visual balance, eliminating harsh reflections that force the eyes to constantly refocus.

Its color palette is another benefit. The natural hues of natural cork – from light beige to rich brown – belong to a warm color family that soothes the eyes and reduces screen contrast. Surrounded by nature-inspired tones, our vision can relax, while the space feels more comfortable and welcoming.

Natural cork also benefits the indoor microclimate. As a breathable material, it helps balance humidity and air temperature. This reduces dryness that often worsens eye irritation—especially in heated or air-conditioned spaces. In a natural way, it enhances not only visual comfort but also the overall well-being of those in the room.

 

How to bring natural cork into your interior?

Natural cork fits seamlessly into various design styles—from minimalist offices to cozy home workspaces. Its neutral tones, soft texture, and natural character make it versatile and ideal for creating a soothing environment that supports eye comfort and everyday productivity.

Cork walls and panels are some of the most appealing solutions. Covering part of a wall with natural cork adds warmth and softness to the interior while improving acoustics and reducing noise. Such a surface eliminates harsh contrasts—instead of cold, reflective planes, the eyes rest on a natural pattern that diffuses light gently. In your workspace, placing cork behind or near the monitor helps create a calm, balanced visual background.

Equally useful are cork boards and desk accessories. They keep the workspace organized and visually light. A board made from natural cork, rather than plastic or metal, adds warmth and order—helping to maintain focus and reduce visual clutter.

Smaller additions like coasters, decorations, or cases made of natural cork offer an easy way to introduce nature into your daily routines. Soft mats for laptops or mice ease the contrast between a cool desk surface and the screen while protecting the furniture. Even small details—such as cork coasters, frames, or storage containers—add warmth and create a visually soothing workspace.

 

What daily habits can help?

A simple yet effective technique is the 20-20-20 rule. After every 20 minutes spent in front of a screen, look at an object about 20 feet (around 6 meters) away for 20 seconds. This short pause relaxes eye muscles and restores their natural rhythm. For better results, pair it with deep breathing—these brief breaks refresh both your eyes and your mind.

Another helpful practice is to shift focus and viewing distance. Look out the window at trees, the sky, or distant buildings. Green tones are particularly calming—their wavelength is the most comfortable for the human eye—so observing plants or natural scenery brings quick relief. Even a few potted plants in your workspace can recreate this soothing effect indoors.

Don’t forget about micro-breaks—short pauses lasting just seconds when you look away from the screen, close your eyes, or let them rest in softer light. Frequent blinking (more consciously than usual) helps prevent dryness, which is common in air-conditioned or heated rooms.

You can also try eye relaxation exercises: gentle circular movements or looking alternately up and down to reduce strain.

Above all, balance is key. Even if you can’t avoid screens entirely, you can use them more consciously—taking regular breaks, shifting your gaze beyond the monitor, and designing a workspace that allows your eyes to genuinely relax.

 

Summary

In today’s world, it’s nearly impossible to escape screens—they’re part of our work, learning, and everyday life. While we can’t always limit our screen time, we can make it easier on our eyes.

Our eyes need both rest and the right environment—lighting that’s gentle, colors that soothe, and surfaces that minimize glare. Even the materials around us make a difference. With its warm tones and soft texture, natural cork helps diffuse light, reduce contrast, and create a calm, comfortable atmosphere for daily visual tasks.

 

FAQ

1. How often should you rest your eyes from the screen?

Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look away for 20 seconds at an object roughly 20 feet (about 6 meters) away. Every few hours, take a slightly longer break to let your eyes fully recover. Short, regular breaks are more effective than one long rest.

2. Does screen brightness influence eye comfort?

Definitely. A screen that’s too bright causes glare and tension in the eye muscles, while one that’s too dim makes it harder to read text. Adjust your monitor’s brightness to the ambient light so it blends naturally into the surroundings rather than standing out as a bright or dark spot.

3. Which colors are most comfortable for the eyes?

The best options are soft, natural hues—like beige, green, brown, or gray. These colors don’t strain the eyes, reduce sharp contrasts, and support concentration. Avoid vivid, saturated shades in your line of sight, especially behind your monitor, as they can distract and cause unnecessary tension.