Tiny tip: 13 reasons why it’s good to raise your eyes
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” Psalm 121*
Tiny tip for present and future happiness: look up and out. Often!
We’ve all got our noses in our phones or Kindles nowadays, on the bus, train, at home, out walking—even, as I saw yesterday, on a skateboard!
Older people tend to look down at feet or floor or footpath. But even if you’re worried about tripping or slipping, now and then lift your head and look up. If you don’t have hills, never mind, you can look at the sky or the top of tall buildings. Make it a tiny habit, for example each time you step outside or turn a corner.
Why? It helps. For posture. For more efficient walking. For flexibility. For your eyes. For your bones. For your neck. For better breathing. For mindfulness. For confidence. For engagement with the real world. For respite from screens. For inspiration. Or just because you like it.
See what’s out there. Feel a tiny spurt of delight. Well-being at any age starts now, with a private habit like this.
*No way (no no no no) is this a religious blog—but I am a vicar’s daughter and sometimes a little bit of Bible pops out.
Wonderful advice. There is so much to see ‘up there’. One of my favorites , the tops of trees waving against a blue sky. Or, an airplane gliding across a clear sky and I’m still amazed how they do it. Look up at the late night and early morning stars. Such a wonderful tip you’ve given us. Thank you. And give my best to the vicar.
I am enjoying sky, clouds and seagulls at this moment.
You’re so right. Looking up also improves the mood and lifts depression.
Continuing with the “Looking up “theme…..a tip for meditators ( of any ilk) following this blog……When you’re in the middle of a sitting meditation often one may feel tired or sleepy….the Buddhist antidote given for this is to raise ones eyes….not moving any other part of your body,or face or neck etc just the eyes and to keep them looking up until the tiredness or sleepiness passes…I was surprised to find this worked for me.
I sit at a desk, two storeys high beside 4 huge windows and my sky looking up views are such an important part of my day…looking up such a joy.
Wow, interesting! I can use that tip, and not just when meditating. While working I’m equally lucky in my view.
Great reasons why we should look up more!! Thanks 🙂
I go a bit carried away there 🙂
So true about looking down and your tips are good
I have my laptop on a high-ish window ledge with a keyboard at elbow height on one of those mobile unit thingies. The window looks out on our bird feeder. Beyond it is fields and a lot of sky. Sadly, I spend more time looking than writing.
Ah ha! Oh for a middle road. It isn’t easy.
Nothing wrong with a bit of bible, or any other religious words, now and again. They were, after all, written to help and advise.
Also, looking up is good in towns and cities. You get to see some great architecture that otherwise goes unnoticed!
All true. Right now I’ve been looking up at rain and lightning–that’s a thrill too!
As a kid I stood still and looked up at the sky to get other kids to look up to see what I was seeing. Now I stand still and look up at the sky to see what I’m seeing.
mpardi.com
Just as marvellous today.
So very true! Look up from technology. Enjoy the world around us! 💕 💕 💕
Often when I look up I see that I am about to be plowed into by someone on their phone!
Eeouch! That’s reason number 14.
Great advice and inspiring post, Rachel.👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you!
Welcome Rachel 😊
🙂 I did this while exercising in the pool today. I got so absorbed in the clouds I stretched way too many times!!
Beautiful!
Love this!