The negative social and cognitive influences lurking around the corner due to intensive Smartphone use are probably evident and clear by now to most of you intelligent birds out there, but what about the physical hazards?

Most of us spend the majority of our awakening hours in front of the computer. Combine your office hours with your after work Social media hours and add to that your approximate total daily Smartphone use count. Are you afraid to even calculate this equation? So do us.

Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) are injuries to the skeletal system and nervous systems caused by repetitive tasks. Eye strain is one of the most common RSI injuries among Smartphone users.

When we stare at the screen in front of us, we blink much less than naturally. Decrease in blink rate causes dry eyes and is one of the top factors to cause headaches. Eye strain is known for the negative effect to our vision and is also likely to cause neck and shoulder pain.

Scared yet? Have no fear! CNN as well as LifeHacker community have adopted an easy method to avoid potential damage: The simple 20-20-20 rule.

This Optometrist and eye doctor supported method suggests that every 20 minutes we take an at least 20 second break in which we shall gaze at an object that is 20 feet (6 meters) away. This is the recommended distance in which our eyes relax and restore focus. Maintaining this habit should help us avoid the unwanted potential damage mentioned above.

Optometrist Dr.Glazier also suggests intensive users consulting to an eye doctor regarding potential adjustments need to be made, limiting the usage, keeping a healthy distance from the screen (elbow to wrist distance – minimum) and taking the time to adjust brightness and contrast according to your personal feeling.

// Noy Tamarkin