How to watch TV correctly: with the lights on or in the dark

Let's be honest, most of us spend the vast majority of our time in front of the screens of smartphones, computers or TV receivers. This circumstance does not have the best effect on health in general and on the health of our eyes in particular. But much of what we know about the harm from TV is misconception or relics. For example, many, especially grandmothers, are still afraid of the harmful electromagnetic effects of a TV receiver on the body, which can no longer be true.

Indeed, when operating older models of CRT televisions, there was a significant magnetic field around the device. But the harm from it has not been scientifically proven. Modern televisions no longer use cathode ray tubes, and, therefore, there can be no significant magnetic fields around in principle.

How to watch TV correctly

How can you enjoy your favorite TV programs without harming your health? The main burden when watching TV falls on the eyes, neck, back and nervous system. To stay healthy while watching, follow these simple rules:

• Do not be located in front of the screen at a distance of less than 2.5 meters;
• when watching, sit straight, watch your posture;
• if there is no need to create an intimate atmosphere, provide sufficient lighting in the room - this will significantly reduce eye strain;
• every 20 minutes, take your eyes off the screen for at least half a minute (at this time, look out the window, look around the room, or just close your eyes and relax);
• do not eat while watching programs, otherwise you will never lose weight by summer;
• limit viewing time to 4 hours a day for adults and 40 minutes for children;
• try not to watch TV at least an hour before bedtime and generally give up gadgets at this time - this will significantly improve the quality of your sleep.

Is it harmful to watch TV in the dark?

Anyone who has ever watched TV for a long time in complete darkness will confirm that watching programs in such conditions puts increased strain on the eyes and the entire body. generally. Many studies have been conducted on this subject - subjects, after viewing in the dark, more often complained of visual tension, fatigue and drowsiness, and visual focusing worsened. However, none of these changes are long-term and do not harm health - at least that is what modern science believes.

This is due to the fact that frequent changes in the brightness of a television picture in a dark room force our eyes to constantly adjust. In the dark, the pupil expands, in the light, on the contrary, it narrows - given the high dynamism of the television picture, we get a constant change in the size of the pupil, the result is watery red eyes after watching your favorite films and TV series for a long time in the dark.

Eye fatigue from viewing in the dark can be significantly reduced by reducing the contrast between the screen and the surrounding environment: by adjusting the brightness of the TV picture or by using backlighting, which is available in some modern TV models.

Reference! In my TV receiver, you can enable a very convenient automatic mode for changing the screen brightness depending on the light level. This mode allows you to obtain an image of optimal brightness, minimally straining your eyes both in daylight and in complete darkness. Check the instructions for your device - I’m sure many people have a similar mode, but few people know about it, since it is not enabled by default.

Eye fatigue after prolonged viewing of television in the dark is present, but does this lead to deterioration of vision? Many experts say that after a full night's sleep, it is no longer possible to detect the negative consequences for the eyes of nighttime sitting in front of the TV without light.

We wish you to take care of your eyesight, avoid long night movie marathons in complete darkness, or at least remember to take short breaks not only for a snack.