Make good viewing a goal
SPORT is not really Screen Scene’s area of expertise. Sitting in front of a screen for prolonged periods of time, though? Well, that’s where Screen Scene is a champion.
And right now, armies of people devoted to soccer and people trying their best to act like soccer is their sport of choice (it’s the one with the round ball, right?) are resetting their body clocks and their alarm clocks in a bid to catch every possible second of World Cup action on their screen of choice.
But spending prolonged periods in front of a television or staying up till all hours to catch a particular program is not for amateurs.
Do it incorrectly, and the physical and psychological repercussions could be severe. I mean, have you ever fallen asleep on the couch, only to wake up feeling slightly disoriented and a little bit stiff? That kind of thing can take 20, even 30 seconds to shake.
So as the Socceroos (that’s the Australian team, right?) work hard in their World Cup efforts, and we in turn work hard to watch them do so, Screen Scene is going to do its part by offering a few tips for the viewer watching the matches at length and perhaps keeping odd hours in the process.
Snack wisely
Any ongoing viewing experience, be it a sporting event or the latest Netflix binge-watch, is better with a sweet or salty treat to nibble upon. That’s just science, so don’t even think about disputing it.
Still, if you’re settling in it’s perhaps a clever move to restrict your calorie intake.
Speaking from experience, if I had a dollar for every time I inadvertently inhaled a bag of chips or a tub of ice cream, I’d have enough money to go buy more chips and ice cream. It’s a vicious circle.
Screen Scene does not recommend denying yourself a treat but does recommend moderation. Maybe even make yourself a full meal prior to kick-off and enjoy it in the early stages – this’ll reduce the temptation to steadily graze.
20-20-20
This is not some nifty strategic soccer term, like 44-2, which Google assures me is a thing that can happen on the pitch (that’s where soccer is played, right?).
Instead, this is shorthand for a technique that’ll give your poor peepers a break from watching Cristiano Ronaldo make another cool million per minute.
It’s quite simple: every 20 minutes, tear your eyes away from the screen and focus on an object 20 feet (or six metres) away for 20 seconds. It’ll give them a chance to recuperate from the fatigue and irritation that can result from excess screen time.
Get up, get on up
The thing about sport is that it’s usually divided into nice, neat chunks. Quarters. Halves.
This gives you a chance to plan what you might do when the siren sounds and the players take a break to … I don’t know, eat oranges and get yelled at by the coach.
What you should do is get up on your feet, even if only for a short time.
Experts recommend a brief burst of exercise, perhaps even ducking out for a little fresh air, during these periods.
But any activity, from a handful of sit-ups to some frenzied folding of laundry, is a good and worthwhile way to shake things up.
Know when to fold ’em
Watching a screen for too long has the potential to mess with your melatonin levels, which regulate your sleep patterns.
If you feel yourself starting to nod off, maybe don’t fight it.
I’m sure the Socceroos value your support, but what they really care about is you getting your full eight hours.