Sandra Lynn Lee ~~ Live In Your Body

Please, stop a moment, right now. Yes, You. Pay attention to how your eyes feel. And allow yourself to Breathe.

Have you been staring at the computer screen for hours? Do you feel tension around your eyes? Are they dry? Are your eyes having difficulty focusing on objects at different distances?

Is your forehead tight? What about your jaw? How do your neck, shoulders, and back feel? Are your arms or wrists tight?

This issue of BREATHE features the star performers of our sensory systems, our Eyes.

There is also another Pocket Sandra audio for your computer timer. If you want to skip to Pocket Sandra now, it is near the end of the text.

With the proliferation of information that is available through computers and the Internet, the entire world is literally at our fingertips. Computers have dramatically altered the way we spend our time.

I Googled "computer eye strain". And came up with 6,220,000 entries. Apparently, this is an issue of concern to a lot of people.

One of these articles said, "We are increasingly becoming an information society, and the price we are paying is our eyesight." (1)

Our eyes and vision are critical to our existence. From the same source, "Over 80% of our learning is mediated through our eyes."

Until relatively recently in human history, we focused our eyes primarily on distant objects. We spent most of our time outdoors, hunting game animals, farming crops, and engaging in recreational activities outside.

In recent decades, this has changed dramatically. In our society, the majority of people focus most of their time, energy, and attention on tasks within the reach of their arms. For many of us, this means sitting at a computer, frequently for both work and recreation.

The host of visual and physical symptoms that can result from extended computer usage even has a name: Computer Vision Syndrome. (CVS Googles at 4,870,000 entries.)

I am neither making a diagnosis, nor suggesting that you have an actual "syndrome," if you have any of the symptoms that I mentioned at the beginning of this message.

There are numerous things that you can do to decrease the negative impacts of computer usage on your eyes. I compiled a list of references for you to download. (1, 2, 3, 4)

Adjusting the positions of your computer screen, keyboard, and mouse, any paper documents, and your chair and desk can help tremendously. Adjusting screen brightness and surrounding lighting to reduce glare and to optimize contrast is something that is often overlooked.

In particular, if your screen is too high, your eyes have to be held further open, and you blink less frequently. This results in eye dryness and irritation. You may also hold your head in positions that increase neck, shoulder, and back tension.

Your screen should be positioned 10-20 degrees below your line of sight, so you are looking slightly downwards.

Consider downloading a free program called ClearType Tuner from Microsoft PowerToys. It makes the type easier to read on the screen. I find that it helps.

If you know that you are having difficulty with computer-related eye strain, consider having an eye exam and getting a pair of glasses for use when working on the computer.

Pocket Sandra is a significant element in my life. Periodically, I hear my voice reminding me to Breathe, look out the window, move and stretch. This has been extremely helpful.

Every time you take a break, even for a few seconds, you reduce the buildup of tension in your body. Focusing your eyes at a distance relaxes them. Every deep breath relaxes you and sends more oxygen to your brain.

Everything I read recommends taking a 15-minute get-up-and-move-around break every two hours. I recommend adding frequent short Pocket Sandra breaks between the longer breaks. Read a bit farther for Pocket Sandra's next audio.

Would it be helpful for me to visit you for an ergonomics session? Occasionally, I am shocked at the conditions under which people are working. When minor adjustments are made, eye strain and other physical strains and symptoms are dramatically reduced.

When I do ergonomic work, my approach is very similar to when I do bodywork. I look at how the energy is flowing through your body. Frequently, the energy is blocked at the neck, lower back, and shoulders.

When the energy is flowing well through your body, it is easier for you to concentrate and to be productive.

Ergonomic adjustments can be helpful in non-work activities as well. For example, musicians often hold their bodies in energetically compromised positions for long periods of time. How would their experience of playing and their music change if they made physical and energetic adjustments? I have worked with athletes to adjust how they hold and use their bodies while engaged in their sport. The applications for ergonomics are tremendous.

"The adjustments we made to my workstation helped a lot. In fact, I moved my office around and added a much better computer desk, so I'm no longer reaching so far for the mouse, and my right arm is no longer bothering me! Thank you so much for noticing that simple problem!" -- Susan , Olympia, WA

Contact me if you want to schedule an appointment, for ergonomics or for bodywork and energywork. sandra@miracleinspirations.com

My customers and I continue to have great results with these revolutionary supplements. Contact me if you have questions, or visit my Ziquin website. http://www.ziquin.com/100072

I am doing Ziquin Anti-Aging Sessions. This is an enjoyable and educational Power Point presentation. You learn about health, nutrition, and rejuvenation. The presentation itself takes about an hour. If you are interested in hosting one of these sessions (and earning free products), or are interested in attending one, let me know. sandra@miracleinspirations.com

Are you using Pocket Sandra and Tea Timer? Please send me feedback. I really want to know about your experience. As I wrote above, the timer is really helping me.

One person mentioned that they didn't want to be surprised by the voice suddenly coming out of the computer. When the timer goes off, first you get a visual alert. Then there is a delay before the audio starts. I have not found it to be shocking in any way. And when I'm up and doing other things, the timer still goes off and reminds me to Breathe. It's great.

My tendency is to just turn the audio off and continue working. I have to remind myself of the importance of taking an actual break. So now I actually listen to Pocket Sandra and do what she says. I recommend the same for you. But even if you don't, the reminder will still have you Breathe, move, and reduce the built-up tension.

This Pocket Sandra audio gets you up and moving, and gets you to relax your eyes. And, of course, it reminds you to Breathe. I play it in the 75 minute Tea Timer slot.

I recommend downloading the PDF file of Tea Timer instructions again. I have modified them to make things easier.

Please let me know what you think. Do you have questions or comments? What do you want to read about in BREATHE?

Please, please, please tell me about your experience with Pocket Sandra. Are you using the Tea Timer, and is it helping you?

I appreciate your taking the time to read BREATHE. May it make a difference in your quality of life. As always, it is a pleasure serving you.

This information is provided for informational and educational purposes only. MiracleInspirations.com, Sandra Lynn Lee, and Miracle Inspirations, LLC make no claim that their information, products, or services are intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure disease. If you have health related questions or concerns, please see your physician. Click here for more information.