The 20-20-20 screen break
What people do
Every 20 minutes of screen time, look at something about 20 feet (6 metres) away for 20 seconds, and blink deliberately.
How it’s typically done
- Set a repeating 20-minute reminder.
- Look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Blink fully a few times.
- Adjust screen height and brightness while you are at it.
Notes from people sharing it
People say the reminder is the hard part; the break itself is easy.
Background & evidence
General health guidance
Explore where this practice comes from and what people say about it. Personal experiences and traditional use can offer useful context; research can help clarify which benefits are supported, what remains uncertain and where more study is needed. We identify the source type and link to further reading where available.
A few things to consider
Eye strain is common, but persistent discomfort, headaches or blurred vision deserve an eye exam. This is not a treatment for eye disease.