As I write this, I’m visiting my favorite vacation destination, the North Shore of Lake Superior. It offers endless opportunities for horizon gazing. On my trip, the first big horizon view appears as I approach Duluth, Minnesota. Driving north on Interstate Highway 35, there is a long climb up to Duluth. As you approach the top of the ridge, you start a 6% decline that extends for a couple of miles. The view opens just before that decline begins, and you see the city of Duluth and huge Lake Superior unfold below you. You feel like you can see forever and it’s always a moment of great beauty and inspiration for me.
But that is just the beginning. I vacation another 100 miles north of Duluth, and driving takes me along the lake’s edge. Anytime I look to the right, I see Lake Superior and the horizon where the surface meets the sky.
By surface area, Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world and contains 10% of the world’s fresh water. It’s also known for its deep, clear waters and the impressive size of its waves. The Ojibwe name for Lake Superior is Gitchi-Gami, which translates to “Great Sea.” The horizon views are plentiful and stretch as far as the eye can see, with no view of the opposite shoreline.
Expanding Our View
I feel more centered and calm when I intentionally gaze at the horizon.
Depending on where we live, our horizon views can be blocked by buildings, mountains, or other natural or manmade features. I value my “horizon time,” and it benefits me in several ways. In fact wherever I am, I make an effort to find a horizon. My trips to the North Shore invite views of different horizons, and I relish the extended scene across Lake Superior.
One of my grandfathers taught me that people should spend at least 15 minutes every day lifting their eyes and looking at the horizon. He believed it helps us look beyond the details of our day-to-day lives and see greater possibilities. That piece of family wisdom has predisposed me to appreciate a horizon view consciously. So I try to practice horizon gazing every day.
The Benefits of Horizon Time
Out of curiosity, I searched for some proven benefits of horizon gazing, and I was pleased to find several.
- Stress Reduction—Neuroscientists have found that expanding our visual field, like looking at the horizon, can trigger a calming effect and reduce stress.
- Eye Relaxation—Gazing at a distance allows your eyes to relax, reducing strain and even easing symptoms of eye fatigue.
- Mood Enhancement—Studies have shown that gazing at natural landscapes, including the horizon, can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
- Perspective and Grounding—Looking at the horizon can help you feel more grounded and perspective-rich, making your problems feel smaller in comparison to the vastness of the landscape.
- Improved Focus—Some research suggests that looking up and engaging with a broader field of vision can enhance focus and attention.
- Aesthetic Appreciation—The vastness and beauty of a horizon can be a source of inspiration and awe, fostering a sense of connection to nature and the universe.
It is always nice to have research confirm something your intuition and experience have known all along!
I invite you to incorporate horizon gazing into your daily life and see how it might nourish you. Horizon gazing is another life-affirming nutrient for me, and I hope it will be for you, too.
