30-Second Vision Hack Restores Calm
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted April 3, 2025
Ever notice how looking out at the ocean or mountains makes you instantly feel calmer?
It’s not your imagination. And it isn’t just the beautiful scenery, either.
There’s a biological reason that gazing out at the horizon triggers relaxation…
Our eyes were designed to look far away, and our visual cortex evolved to process nearby objects and those in the distance.
Our ancestors regularly scanned distant horizons to spot resources and potential threats… a visual behavior quite different from our modern, screen-centric lifestyle.
In today’s screen-dominated world, we spend countless hours focusing on objects just 12 to 24 inches from our faces.
From early-morning emails to evening social media scrolling, our eyes rarely get the opportunity to focus on distant objects.
This dramatic shift has consequences. The constant need to focus on nearby objects isn’t just mentally taxing—it also affects visual health.
Our eyes make tiny, unconscious movements called “fixational drift” that help align the highest-density regions of our retina, allowing us to see fine details with remarkable clarity.
But these delicate mechanisms work best when we give our eyes varied visual experiences, including regular opportunities to focus on distant objects.
When we don’t provide this variety, it contributes to visual fatigue. In fact, experts theorize that the growing rates of myopia (nearsightedness), especially in kids, may also be linked to this increase in focusing on nearby objects with fewer opportunities to look at distant ones.
When you focus on distant objects, you’re:
- Relaxing your eye muscles after close-up work
- Giving your visual system the variety it needs
- Supporting “fixational drift” to reduce fatigue and improve vision
- Reducing visual strain
To create a healthier balance for your eyes, consider these simple practices:
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds to look at something at least 20 feet away. This can significantly reduce eye strain.
- Take “distance breaks” throughout your day. Step outside and focus on the furthest point you can see for a few minutes.
- When indoors, position yourself to look out windows when possible. Even seeing distant buildings can provide relief to your eyes.
- Schedule regular outdoor time where you can naturally focus on objects at varying distances.
The benefits extend beyond eye health. Looking at distant horizons can also activate your parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” mode), lowering stress levels and helping your body relax.
This explains why gazing at the ocean or mountains feels so calming. It fulfills a visual need while simultaneously triggering physiological relaxation responses.
When you consciously incorporate distance vision into your daily routine, you’re not just caring for your eye health—you’re giving your mind a chance to reset and find calm in our fast-paced world.
Why not give it a try right now? Look up from your screen and find the most distant point you can see right now—whether it’s through a window, down a hallway, or stepping outside.
Let your eyes rest there for 30 seconds. Notice how it feels as your eye muscles shift and adjust.
Make this simple practice part of your daily routine, and your eyes—and mind—will reap the benefits.
P.S. For more on tiny eye movements and how they support crystal-clear vision, CLICK HERE.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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