In a recent task management trends report, it was revealed that only 12% of employees are fully productive at work.
Lack of productivity is a major concern as it has been found to adversely affect performance, morale, and profitability.
Interestingly, among the many reasons why workers’ productivity may be dipping, one of the most common today is excessive screen time.
To date, Zippia surveys reveal that the average American worker spends over seven hours using screens daily.
Blue Light And Its Effects
For the most part, excessive screen time affects productivity because of the blue light that monitors emit.
Being part of the visible light spectrum, blue light vibrates within a range of 380 to 500 nanometers and is found to be the shortest in wavelength and the highest in energy.
While the sun is the biggest source of blue light, gadgets with screens are also commonly associated with blue light exposure today.
Unfortunately, too much blue light is largely detrimental as it deregulates critical systems like brain function, moods, and circadian rhythm.
In terms of work, this can manifest in brain fog, lack of focus, irritability, and sleepiness—all of which heavily impact productivity.
This is a pressing concern given that the last few years have seen a rise in more remote and online work.
However, similar to how there are several tools for assisting remote workers, like Skype and Microsoft Excel, many options have also been developed to provide protection from blue light.
Below are some of the most effective tools to block blue light and improve productivity at work.
Blue Light Glasses
One of the most effective and efficient anti-blue light tools today are glasses with blue light filters.
Eye glasses with blue light lenses are available from online and offline retailers and help increase contrast when looking at screens—reducing the risk of digital eye strain and improving overall visual comfort.
This is extremely important for workers, as being comfortable is one of the best ways to increase productivity because it enhances performance, retention, engagement, and focus.
These glasses are highly accessible, as even generic, non-graded lens options are readily available at local retail stores like Target.
On the other hand, specialty stores also offer customizable glasses for people who require eyesight correction, with renowned brands such as Ray-Ban and Oakley offering multiple frame options—all of which can come with blue light lenses.
Screen Filters
Another way to block blue light is by installing screen filters or blockers. Blue light screen blockers, also known as anti-glare screen protectors, filter out harmful wavelengths and help reduce the negative effects that come with long hours of screen time.
These filters are available in various sizes not only for computers but for tablets and smartphones as well—with premade sizes for the latest Apple products, such as the iPhone 14 Pro Max, as well as Samsung models, like the Samsung Galaxy S23.
These screen filters help increase productivity, as they utilize an extra layer of protective coating to minimize reflections.
This allows devices to be used in brightly lit environments optimal for working without the risk of glare.
Blue Light Blocking Software
In a similar way to screen filters, blue light blocking software reduces the amount of blue light coming from devices.
Some of this software is already being built into devices’ systems. For Mac users, they can be found in Display settings, while Windows users can access a new Night Light feature upon upgrading to Windows 10.
Some people also refer to these tools as screen dimmers, as blue light emission is lessened by adjusting the color temperature of screens and generally making them less intense.
These software help optimize working conditions in the same way as screen filters in an even more flexible manner, which can help increase productivity whether workers are reporting from an office, the comfort of their own homes, or on the go.
Programmable Lighting
Controlling one’s working environment is just as important as utilizing filtering and blocking tools. Poor lighting at work can cause eye strain, fatigue, and headaches, which leads to poor quality work and low productivity.
According to a study by the University of North Carolina, ideal workspace lighting should be cooler during the earlier parts of the day to keep people energized and productive and should gradually change to a warmer tone as the day progresses.
This can be achieved through the installation of programmable lighting. Although it is difficult to control a shared office environment, the same practice can still be applied by dimming lights in the evening and using warmer-toned nightlights to allow the body to wind down and relax.
This will help workers get proper restful sleep in the evenings and be more energized in the morning for a more productive day.
