Relaxing and healthy: 3 reasons to fall in love with gazing at the horizon
Could this be a good time for some eye exercise or mental rest? Taking a moment to gaze at the scenery works for both.
1. Gazing at the horizon is an excellent eye exercise
Turning your gaze to a distant view relaxes your eyes and the surrounding muscles. At the same time, headaches may subside because eye muscles connect with the muscles of the upper neck, so tension in the eyes can create tension at the base of the skull.
2. It soothes the mind
Gazing at the horizon nurtures the brain, just as nature tends to do, and helps calm your mind. Peering out over a distant lake can be soothing, with nothing happening except for the beauty before you. A wide-open view can also gently remind us of our smaller role in the bigger picture.
3. Admiring the scenery is a healthy form of idleness
Gazing at the scenery is a perfect example of idleness, and many of us need it. Research shows that idleness, and the relaxation it brings, can be deeply restorative. Our minds recover when we allow ourselves a moment without doing or accomplishing anything. Meanwhile, our attention shifts to new things, and we might discover fresh insights.
