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Eye strain!

I have been working my butt off, trying to sort out my WiP, and editing the book I hope to self-publish. The downside of this is that my eyes are killing me, so I am going to keep this pretty short!

I look like some kind of monster, with enormous dark circles under my eyes, and I'm cranky because I look like crap. Ideas whizz around my brain at night, keeping me awake for a stupidly long time which is only adding to my grouchiness. Thankfully, I actually slept reasonably well last night but man....

And my eyes are aching. I have taken most of the day off, but I had articles to write, so it's hard to find time to really rest!

What do you do when you have days of looking like hell from too much time at the computer? Please tell me I'm not alone!


Comments

  1. When I started my day job, I started getting really terrible headaches that we eventually attributed to the substantial increase in time I started spending on the computer. What the eye doctor suggested to me is, once an hour, spend a full minute looking at something far away. Looking in the distance lets your eyes rest for a little while. It doesn't have to be crazy far or anything; just getting your eyes off the screen for that time helped.

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  2. Definitely not alone :) I like to take time to play a game or watch my fish. It is nice to relax after a long night. Hope you get it all up and running and feeling better.

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    1. Ohh, I would love to have some fish to watch! My cat is not quite so relaxing to watch lol!

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  3. OH man - I totally understand. That's exactly how I feel right now. Glad you got some good sleep last night and hopefully you will again tonight :)

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    1. Good to know I'm not the only one! I did get another good sleep which has helped a lot.

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  4. Bahahaha!!!! You are NOT alone... if you could see me right now... you'd run away in fear! I'm in total WIP zone... it is comforting to know you're with me, friend :D

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    1. Haha, it's always nice to know someone else is going through the same thing!

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  5. I take naps, because I usually wake up from them feeling recharged. That makes it easier to get work done, and it gives my eyes a rest, which is good since I wear contacts with a really high prescription. So I suggest taking naps, even short 30-minute ones, so that you don't have to look at anything for a while.

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  6. I find that a walk outdoors, away from the computer screen, in the sunshine and fresh air, works wonders ... Hope you're feeling better soon!

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    1. Thanks, things are definitely improved today. Not quite perfect, but better! :D

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  7. I look like hell right now, but I think that's the flu talking. Aren't there eye drops you can take to revive your eyes?

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    1. Gah, yes! I don't know how I could possibly have forgotten about that!

      Hope you feel better soon!

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    2. They might be an over-the-counter thing, but perhaps a trip to the pharmacy is in your future.

      I do feel a lot better today. Thank you.

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  8. This might sound like the last thing on earth you want to do but...

    I work out. I head to the gym where my eyes don't have to focus on anything. I move and sweat and by the end I'm exhausted but after that shower I feel awesome.

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    1. Heh, the gym is always the last thing I want to do, but you're right. I had a workout this morning and it definitely felt good!

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  9. You're not alone. During my worst times I do whatever needs to get done and then reward myself with plenty of sleep. Sometimes I wonder how I survive those long work jags. Thank goodness I'm not in that mode all the time.

    I hope you get some down time soon.

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    1. Thank you! Sleeping is getting easier now I have eased the pressure on myself. Hopefully those two things combined will make it better.

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  10. Ha! I eventually had to get glasses :)

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    1. Lol, I suspect that might be on the cards for me too!

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  11. I have plenty of days where I look like hell; computer is sometimes at fault. Hope you're feeling refreshed soon!

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    1. Thanks! I feel a little better already. I plan to take the entire weekend off to give my eyes a total rest. (Whether I stick to it is another matter entirely!)

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  12. I used to take a cold can of Diet Coke and rest it against the hollow of my eyes. After several minutes, I pop the can and drink. This rids your eyes of puffiness and gets caffeine into your system. : )

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  13. You are so not alone! I stay up most nights and write, but it only equals about 7 hours of sleep. Combine that with pregnancy tiredness, and you have one grumpy momma. It's an adventure for sure!

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    1. Aww, writing while pregnant, and making sure you get enough rest must be a nightmare!

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  14. I'm pretty good about keeping my distance from the pc. Once i'm done with work for the day, i maybe poke about online for an hour or two, and then that's it

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    1. You're so lucky! I work at the computer all day, then night time is writing time, so I never get much of a break. :(

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  15. Unlike Sarah, as a rare blood courier, I have to trudge wearily to the laptop to write at least a page on my WIP. In the morning, I wake an hour earlier than my body wishes to write another page. My goal is to write a 1000 good words a day, but usually I have to settle for two.

    No, you are not alone, Kyra! Roland

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    1. Lol, this writing thing is terribly tiring! Pleased to hear I'm not in it alone!

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  16. I TRY to force myself to step away.

    Sometimes it works.

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    1. Lol, sometimes I think that is the only answer, but it's hard when inspiration strikes!

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  17. I try to take a break once an hour. An icy cold cloth helps, too. Good luck!

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    1. Thanks, I have been taking some five minute breaks every hour and that is already making a lot of difference!

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  18. Yeah, I hate feeling like that. I have a full time job that requires me to be on the computer all day (or most of the day at least), too, so I really shouldn't be on the computer at night. and yet...I'm addicted! ;)

    Still, I do try to do other things like, errr, watch TV ('cause that's good for the eyes, right? haha) and read (another eye-straining activity. damn it!).

    One good way to revise is to print out your novel. But I understand if you're not at that point yet, i.e. you know you have to cut out huge chunks & don't want to print out the novel with those chunks still in it.

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    1. Oh, I feel like an idiot now! It didn't actually occur to me to print the work out LOL! It's all but finished, with a few gaps here and there. That is my plan for the weekend! :D

      And yes, TV and reading are my "other" things to do, too lol.

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  19. You and I sound like twins right now. I've been writing a ton and editing. Today I overworked myself and I'm completely brain dead.

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  20. I love all of your post guys its all cool!:D

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  21. I'm using my eyes from the moment I wake up to when my head hits the pillow at night. Naturally, my eyes do tire but I always try to keep them limber by performing blinking exercises, using warm compresses and on occasion, dunking my head in a sink full of water. It works for me :)

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