It’s no secret that whether we are working in front of a computer, watching TV, or just scrolling on our phone, we are being exposed to artificial forms of light, specifically blue light. The screen time notification that my phone sends me once a week never fails to give me a jump-scare.

As we navigate our ever increasing digital landscape, our eyes continue to bear the brunt of it.

I have begun to notice more and more of my colleagues opting to use blue light glasses. Initially, I viewed these glasses as a trend. This digital age is filled with fads that come and go thanks to social media. But it seems the concerns surrounding blue light continue to grow and bring to light (pardon the pun) the adjustments that can be made to improve our daily lives.

Blue light is considered an electromagnetic energy that transmits very short, high energy waves. Our natural source comes from the sun. However, with the massive technological changes the world has gone through, we are receiving most of these waves through our screens. While there are some benefits to blue light, it's becoming clear that our constant exposure to these waves can strain our eyes, disrupt our sleep patterns, and may even be linked to several vision-related problems. It seems like our eyes are doing a pretty useless job blocking out blue light on their own. Ironic considering how much blue light we take in on a daily basis.

So yes, it seems logical that people are opting to wear blue light glasses. After talking to colleagues and friends, there seems to be a general consensus that it has helped lessen headaches and eye strain after a long day of staring at the computer. It seems the jury is still out on their true impact though. While some remain skeptical, the positive experiences of those wearing them cannot be denied. Let’s dive into what we know about blue light beyond the level of the anecdote.

Dissatisfaction and feeling the effects of unwanted physical symptoms from sitting in an office is not a new problem. Forbes brought to light the idea of “Quiet Quitting,” where employees gradually disengage from their work, resulting in a lack of productivity and enthusiasm. This is largely a response to the COVID pandemic. Life changed and, while I’m not suggesting that wearing a pair of light-blocking glasses will resolve these issues, it might be an opportunity for both business owners and employees to adjust their perspective.

Whether you’re the CEO or just starting out at a company, there are many little things you can do to make the day better – even if it’s just putting on a pair of glasses so that by the end of the day you don’t go home with a pounding headache. But it’s also about starting the day off right. Your morning routine can affect the headspace you find ourselves in for the rest of the day. By incorporating consistent habits such as getting up right away, exercising, meditating, and deciding on set tasks for the day you can avoid feeling frazzled and grumpy.

It’s not just about donning a pair of glasses where the evidence is potentially still a bit iffy; It’s about improving the quality of your day by making minor adjustments. You can peer through the lens not only literally but metaphorically. As a business owner, there are conscious decisions that can be made to help employees remain motivated and happy. I’m lucky enough to work at a company where snacks are readily available, utilizing the standing desks is encouraged, and flexibility is allowed. For example, my current role is hybrid. I have the option to work from home a couple days of week or come into the office. I personally enjoy the office more. Working in this kind of environment makes it easier to maintain a work-life balance.

A work-life balance can be difficult to get right but it’s definitely worth trying to achieve. A big part of that is making sure you nurture healthy sleep patterns. Speaking from personal experience, relying on caffeine after a bad night is definitely not conducive to a productive day at work. Lack of sleep can lead to negative consequences such as the reduced ability to stay alert and focused which, in turn, reduces productivity.

Unfortunately, screen time can have a negative effect on how much sleep you are getting. On top of being constantly exposed to information overload, intense blue light exposure keeps you alert and awake. Wearing blue light glasses should help filter these rays and help make it easier to fall asleep at night. The evidence remains anecdotal but there’s no harm in trying.

The use of blue light glasses should be viewed in a holistic way. It is a part of a greater chain of small practices that we can incorporate into our lives at work and at home to improve the quality of our days (as well as our moods). Practicing mindfulness, taking breaks, and getting a good night’s sleep are just some examples.

The progression of technology shows no signs of slowing down but you have the power to take proactive steps to reduce the challenges that come with it. We can choose to utilize the available resources like blue light glasses to alleviate potential strains while we contemplate our approach in achieving healthier screen time.

Jessica Galbraith is a Business Development Manager at Syft Analytics. She is responsible for bringing in potential clients for our Account Executives. Jessica loves to read, draw and talk about anything related to history or literature.