What distance should you look at during the 20-second break in the 20-20-20 rule?

The 20-20-20 rule suggests that for every 20 minutes spent looking at a screen, you should take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away. This practice is designed to reduce eye strain caused by prolonged screen time. Looking at a distance of 20 feet helps to relax the eye muscles that can become tense from focusing on close objects, such as computer screens or smartphones.

By engaging in this exercise, you allow your eyes to refocus and reduce fatigue. The specific distance of 20 feet is important because it is generally far enough to give the eyes a rest from the close-up work, promoting better eye health. Additionally, if the distance were shorter, such as 5 or 10 feet, it would not provide the same level of relief from focusing fatigue, which defeats the purpose of the break.