Mostly white screen (8 hours per day)

I am using an application which has a white background color.

I am using this application 8 hours per day.

I think a GUI with less contrast would be better for my eyes. I guess this would save some mental energy.

Which arguments speak for a different background color, with less contrast?

(Looking at this page (ux.stackexchange.com) I see that the background color looks like white on the first sight. But actually it isn't)