I think it was around 20 years ago in early 2000, when I was in junior high school. I spent most of my time playing gaming console, it was PlayStation 1 at that time. Everyday when school is over I went home, turn the console on, and play. Sometimes after I did my homework (which I rarely do) I will continue playing until midnight. The weekend is even better, I will not sleep and play all night long until morning, or I would wake up very early at 5 am just to play until midnight.

For years my eyes are laser-focused and glued to the TV. Until one day I feel smoothing isn’t right with my eyes. It hurts and sometimes makes me dizzy, sleep isn’t helping at all. I told my mom about this situation and I would expect she would give me some traditional medicine, but no. I still remember she said, “Don’t stare at the electronic device for too long, it’s bad for your eyes. Go outside, go to the park, and make your eyes stare at those beautiful greeneries, your eyes need a rest”.

At that time, that was the best advice ever. So I went to the park and start opening my eyes and enjoying the greeneries around me. My eyes felt great.

Fast forward 20 years later, I don’t play games that much, not even on a PC or console. But I spent a lot of time in front of a laptop, working, designing, watching movies, video calls, etc. Even after I shut my laptop off, I still stared at my phone, even before sleep, and my eyes hurt, again.

To avoid that, now I spent 30 minutes almost every day at the park refreshing my eyes. Just looking at the greeneries. It’s the best feeling ever.

I think because humans are nature, that’s why we always need nature to heal ourselves. Thanks, Mom.