Right vision – Crucial for maintaining productivity during lockdown

Indian businesses are showing great spirit amid the Covid-19 crisis. Just like their international counterparts most companies have adopted the “work from home” policy to keep functioning as productively as possible during the global lockdown. While most business leaders have created new work policies and guidelines for the employees, they are also taking measures to help their employees stay fit as it is crucial for their optimal professional functioning.

MNCs like Hindustan Unilever and Schindler India are ensuring their employees get the right mental support from their counselor teams. Indeed, keeping the mind healthy in such trying times is of utmost importance. But often in the shadow of larger problems some smaller and basic problems are overlooked. While such problems might appear small, these can poke large holes in otherwise watertight compartments and create threatening problems.

A vital such area is caring for one’s vision. Irrespective of the role that an individual plays in a business, be it that of a business leader, an executive or a manager; in the current scenario, it is most likely they are all working from a confined space with limited external and social access. This means spending most of their time glued to their laptops and gadgets which can be very harmful to their vision.

[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=””]In the words of Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, too much screen time creates fatigue for eyes. People must take very good care of their eyes at such times. Here are a few simple instructions for healthy vision:

• Take a break every half an hour
• Do a few simple eye exercises daily
• Wash your face and eyes often with fresh water
• Reduce screen time as much as possible
• Consult your eye specialist on phone if necessary
• Avoid visiting eye-care centers unless there’s an emergency[/box]

“Lives have taken a different turn due to the blanket lockdown, and more so for patients with pre-existing medical conditions. Thankfully, as far as eye-care is concerned, over 80% of the problems can wait for treatment. Simpler issues like itching, redness of the eye, etc. are self-limiting and can be treated later. The need of the hour is to save the community from the spread of Covid-19 infection by following the strict instruction issued by the government.”

Eye fatigue often gives rise to headaches and increases stress, negatively effecting employee productivity. Businesses leaders, especially CHROs should take this seriously and make sure to propagate healthy eye-care practices along with spreading awareness about the importance of personal hygiene and social distancing.

These are extraordinary times, how employers and employees set order to this chaos will create history. The right vision – both in literal and allegorical terms is thus a must for higher productivity and greater future.

[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=””]Contributor: Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, Chairman- Emeritus, Aravind Eye Care System[/box]