Amid the pandemic, working and studying from home has become the norm in many Taiwan households. But staying in all day glued to a computer screen can have a negative impact on our health, especially on our eyesight. Formosa News reporter Stephany Yang spoke to Health Promotion Administration deputy director Wei Hsi-lun to get some tips on how to stay healthy while staying at home.

Due to the pandemic, many people have switched to working from home or online learning. But that has taken a toll on our eyes, which get strained from prolonged periods staring at a computer screen. HPA Deputy Director Wei says a good way to combat that is taking a break every half hour.

Wei Hsi-lun
HPA deputy director
During the pandemic, people are working from home and students are learning online. But doing this for extended periods of time can damage the windows of the soul. Firstly, you can try to give your eyes a 10-minute break every 30 minutes. For adults, you should take a break every 40 to 50 minutes of using a computer. Have a good rest and gaze out the window, or do some chores around the house to divert your attention.

Younger children''s eyes are more susceptible to damage from blue light. Wei says children under 2 should not get any screen time at all. That can be increased to a maximum of 1 hour per day for children over 2. Having a well illuminated environment when reading is also crucial, Wei says, with ideally a luminance of at least 350 candela per square meter. She also says lamps should be placed on the opposite side to one''s dominant hand when working at a desk.

Wei Hsi-lun
HPA deputy director
Secondly, you must have sufficient light, whether it is reading, studying, or watching the news, you should have plenty of light. Thirdly, maintain good posture.

To maintain good posture, avoid lying down while reading. Choose a chair with a suitable height, and keep your feet on the ground. Leave about 30-45 centimeters of space between the text and your eyes. A balanced diet could also help maintain your eyes in good shape. Wei recommends eating five fruits and vegetables every day, especially foods rich in vitamin A, B complex and C.

Wei Hsi-lun
HPA deputy director
The fourth thing is that you must have a balanced diet. Make sure you incorporate vitamin A, vitamin B complex, and vitamin C in your diet. You can do that by eating carrots, but also with dark green vegetables and some fruits, such as broccoli, spinach, pumpkin and tomatoes. Then there''s the most important point: Even though you''re at home, don''t forget to get up and move around. The Health Promotion Agency has created a song to exercise the eyes. We also have a pamphlet with ideas on how to protect your eyesight.

The HPA has created a dance-along video with tips on how to best protect your eyes. That, together with a balanced diet and moderate exercise can be beneficial to staying healthy while cooped up at home.