COMPUTER SICKNESS

[noddy5]

I am getting lots of weird headaches and dizzy feelings after long periods on the computer.I am doing an OU degree and sometimes spend hours on the screen.I have felt this a lot recently and sometimes feel quite sick with it.Has this happened to anyone else.Before this year I had never sat at a screen before

I have recently, but I managed to improve it with two things:

1. Turn the monitor brightness right down. On my monitor I actually have several settings, one called Standard which is WAY to bright and was giving me headaches, and one called Office which was much dimmer. Takes some getting used to, but much kinder on the eyes once you do.

2. Change the way your computer displays fonts by using the ClearType setting. To do this on Win XP, right click on the desktop background and click Properties. Choose the Appearance tab and click the Effects... button. Second line down will say "Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts" - change the drop down menu from "Standard" to "ClearType", click Okay then click Apply. Again, takes some getting use to, but makes the text on the screen much more readable and kinder on the eyes.

3. Give yourself lots of breaks. Can't remember the recommended time but tbh even if you're studying and not using a computer, you'll learn more efficiently if you give yourself a 15 minute break every hour anyway, so set yourself a timer and don't let yourself go beyond that point. Oh, and don't surf Mumsnet during your break time, take some time away from the computer

Hope this helps and you start to feel much better soon.

Um... I can't count... that's 3 things. Obviously I'm not studying so no. 3 isn't what I use... the first 2 I have with much improvement though

Oh... thought of a no. 4. Make sure you stay hydrated. My headaches decreased a lot when I made sure that I drank 8 glasses of water a day. Maybe when the timer goes off for a break you go drink a large glass of water and take your loo break?

thankyou I will try them all!!!!!!!!!!

Try putting a plant on your desk, it's supposed to be beneficial in some way (can't remember why now though!)

I don't know what sort of monitor you have but if you can afford it invest in a TFT flat screen - they are FAR less stressful on the eyes. As big as possible too - I've got a 19 inch one and my eye strain has disappeared since I've been using it.

noddy have you had an eye test lately? I was getting awful headaches before I had my glasses lately