Optometrists recommend the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
NV Paulose, Chairman, Global TV +91 98441 82044
It was an ordinary evening in Mangalore. The sun was gentle, the clouds scattered, and as I paused between tasks, something glinted in the sky above. A silver speck moved silently. It was an aircraft cruising at high altitude. It was barely visible, but just enough to spark a thought: What if watching flights could be more than a moment of curiosity? What if it could be a daily eye exercise?
We are living in a complex digital world. Our eyes are often fixed on screens. Very rarely we stretch beyond a few feet. Eye strain, fatigue, dryness, and even blurry vision are now familiar companions for many. But nature offers an antidote; an essential remedy to go with the technology on other side.
The Science of Looking Far
Optometrists recommend the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This gives the tiny muscles inside our eyes; especially the ciliary muscles, a chance to relax and reset. Looking at distant objects reduces tension, lowers eye fatigue, and helps maintain sharper focus.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Unlike staring at a wall or a tree, tracking an aircraft in the sky offers movement, purpose, and mindfulness. It’s a tiny hunt that exercises both the eyes and the mind.
Turning Curiosity into Routine
That day, I pulled out my phone and opened Flightradar24, a flight tracking app that uses live satellite data. Within seconds, I identified the aircraft: an El Al flight en route from Bangkok to Tel Aviv, cruising above Karnataka on its 11 hour journey. I looked back at the sky and smiled. I wasn’t just staring; I was seeing.
Since then, I’ve turned this into a delightful routine. A few times a week, I step outside, stretch, open the app, find a flight overhead, and follow it with my eyes.
The Tools You Need
- Your Eyes: Preferably well-rested and willing.
- A Clear Patch of Sky: Even partially cloudy skies work.
- A Smartphone with a Flight Tracker App: Flightradar24, FlightAware, RadarBox.
- Curiosity: The more you know, the more fun it becomes.
A Practice Rooted in Awareness
This exercise is about mindful attention, about reconnecting with the world around us, and above us. It’s geography, aviation, and wellness wrapped in a single practice. Think about it: every aircraft has a story. It could be carrying families, businesspeople, or tourists. It could be flying over conflict zones, deserts, or oceans. Every flight is a thread in the global fabric of movement.
Benefits of the Practice
- Reduces Eye Strain: By shifting focus from near to far.
- Encourages Outdoor Breaks: Vitamin D and fresh air, anyone?
- Stimulates Curiosity and Learning: Where’s that flight coming from? What’s its destination?
- Cultivates Presence: A few minutes of focused looking can be more meditative than scrolling social media.
Tips for New Flight Watchers
- Best Times: Dawn and dusk often offer better visibility, with sunlight glinting off aircraft bodies.
- Contrails Help: Look for white trails in the sky, especially during humid weather.
- Urban vs Rural: Both areas can work, but city skies may be trickier due to tall buildings and light pollution.
A Skybound Invitation
Next time you feel the pull of the screen or the strain in your eyes, just… look up. Open an app, trace a plane, wonder who’s on it. Let your gaze stretch toward the horizon. Let your mind wander into the world of aviation. Let your eyes relax and refocus. Instead of always looking down, maybe it’s time we all looked up.
