We’ve all had to pull that all-nighter either to cram for an exam, finish a project or just because you had a brilliant idea you didn’t want to let go of. Whether you are writing, programming or just surfing, prolonged use of the computer is not healthy especially if in a dimly lit room.
Here are some tips to maximize efficiency, minimize discomfort and recover quickly. These are personal tips, no scientific backing here!
- Room Lighting
This is a matter of preference but I can’t stand to work in a really brightly lit room when it is dark outside. It just doesn’t sit well with me and I find that I concentrate better when the room is dark — maybe because there are fewer things to look at. - Change your Editor Color Scheme
If you’re doing programming or word processing, using light text on a dark background puts a lot less stress on your eyes than a black on white background. If you can’t get use to it, see the next tip. - Monitor Brightness
This is especially important if you’re working in the dark. An overly bright monitor will tire your eyes faster. There is no perfect setting for your monitor’s brightness and contrast. Depending on the lighting conditions, you will need to adjust them. Don’t be lazy and keep it on the high brightness you had during the day! - Watch your Posture
If you’re sitting awkwardly, you will definitely pay for it later on in the night as well as the following day. One of my favorite positions to sit is leaning forward to look at my monitor more closely (see picture above). This is of course very bad for the back so I like to make sure the font/zoom I’m using is big enough that I don’t have to lean forward to see it clearly. - Don’t neglect your hygiene
I find that I can’t work when I feel dirty. A quick shower or splash of water on the face really does wonders for me. Washing my face or rinsing with some intense Listerine mouthwash also serves as a quick pick-me-up when I’m feeling tired. - Take Breaks
I like to go to the kitchen and grab a snack or just get up and stretch a little bit. - Stay Hydrated
This serves several purposes. One, you won’t get dehydrated. Two, you won’t have bad breath the next morning. And three, you can’t fall asleep if you need to pee badly. Just kidding about that last one haha. - Don’t NOT sleep
I find that if I really need to do something, I will eventually get so tired I can’t focus anyway. Taking a short nap, even if it’s fifteen minutes, is enough to jump start my brain again. - Set an Alarm Beforehand
If you need to wake up at a certain time the next morning, set your alarm before you begin working. One time I got so involved in my work that I had forgotten to set my alarm. Lo and behold, after I finished my work, I went straight to bed and slept well into the afternoon the next day, missing my morning appointments. - Avoid High Caffeine Drinks
I know a lot of people that drink high caffeine drinks (Red Bull, coffee etc.). Personally, I find that it gets me going for a little bit but then I crash quickly and get really tired. Also, if you’re studying for a test, I’ve heard that drinking high caffeine drinks hinders your memory retention.
People say that your sleep deficits add up so if you miss out on a good night’s sleep, be sure you make up for it the next couple days!
Of course, if you’re organized enough, these things should never happen in the first place! What are your tips and experiences for pulling an all-nighter?
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Great ideas, especially for those of us addicted to our blogs.
Yeah, my contrast is at 40%, it definetly helps for long term computer usage!
I couldn’t have written this list any better with one sole exception – caffeine drinks. I’d hook up to a caffeine I.V. drip if I could. I LOVE to work with a nice hot cup of coffee. I think I’ve built such a caffeine tolerance that instead of pumping me, it relaxes me.
Great post! I just linked it in my Sunday Samplings post.
Hey Jon
I don’t drink coffee or energy drinks and was forced to discover my own solution.
This arrived one day after sitting for 8 hours in the sun watching tennis. I felt perfectly fine, ready to hit the town even.. as opposed to how I’d normally feel – tired and run-down.
A mental review of the day showed I had changed one thing – I had heaps of water to drink all day.
Since then I have been drinking water a lot more, especially when I’m tired. It works.
great tips. the only one i would include has to do with eye focus. i find that staring at objects in the distance is necessary when i’ve been at the computer for hours on end. sometimes i drive the car or go walking and try to spot something in the distance.
Hmm I’m not sure what the scientific explanation for that is but that’s pretty interesting!
That’s a tip I’ve heard too… in particular, it helps to look at something green since it is a color that relaxes your eyes.
Thanks for the link!
Very nice looking blog by the way
I know a few people that are coffee addicts
They can’t function without their morning fix, which I don’t think is very helpful, but hey whatever works!
[...] Lee has some tips for those of us that spend hours at their desk in front of a computer. I totally agree with his high caffeine drink comment. I don’t know why but I get the crash a [...]
Taking a quick shower is the one that works for me most of the time. also i tend to do my best thinking when i am way from my computer, in the shower for example.
great list.
[...] – Jon Lee has 10 Tips for Prolonged Computer Usage [...]
[...] – Jon Lee has 10 Tips for Prolonged Computer Usage [...]
I found this post via Ed Lau, and I think it’s a great post! I can relate because I’m on the computer so much
[...] Today I was reading a recent article on Jonlee.ca about his set of tips for prolonged Computer Usage. [...]
[...] If you will be participating in Blogathon 2007 on July 28th, you should definitely read Jon Lee’s 10 Tips for Prolonged Computer Usage. [...]
[...] on the eyes Looking at a back lit LCD screen for a prolonged period of time can cause eyestrain. A real book offers an “unlimited” contrast with natural lighting (but then again, you [...]
I don’t know but I like my room lil brigher. And second thing monitor brightness – I remember when I there were CRT monitors; my eyes were always colorful
Now I’ve TFT @office and home too 
[...] your body will know when it is time for sleep so it can prepare itself adequately. Unless you really need to pull that all-nighter, try your best to sleep at the same time every night. Waking up at the same time every day [...]
I started taking Ambien a month ago.
It worked great for about 3 days.
Now, it screws up my personality so much, that I want to stay awake and do really weird stuff.
Because of that, I stay awake longer.
Unless I take a pill and a half, I won’t let myself sleep.
A pill and a half knocks me out so bad, that I feel terrible in the morning.
I am ALWAYS exhausted and still can’t sleep.
I believe my problems have more to do with anxiety keeping me up. I’v
e tried so many medications for sleep.
I find I just have to make myself go to bed. And I always do all my little jobs and housework before going anywhere near the computer!!! It is always a trap for me!!
prolonged computer usage results in breakdowns and highly maintainenced computers.
computer usage is not that big of a deal when it comes to having it on for long periods of time, as long as you have a surge protector, its almost good for a computer to keep running you have to break it in, in some instances.
When I am finished on my computer I take my laptop to the lounge and watch TV or I take it to bed until I am tired enough to sleep… Some people read books in their spare time, but I use my computer..