🌿 Mental Health Awareness Week: A Natural Connection to Myopia Prevention

This week at Myopia Focus, we're proud to support Mental Health Awareness Week—a time to reflect on the wellbeing of our children and the role nature plays in supporting it. But did you know that the benefits of outdoor time stretch far beyond mental wellness?

Spending at least two hours outdoors per day is one of the few proven methods to reduce the risk of myopia (short-sightedness) in children, particularly before it starts. That’s right—just being outside could help delay or even prevent the onset of myopia.

And it’s not just about the eyes. Nature offers a powerful prescription for our mental health too.

🌞 Why Outdoor Time Matters—for Mind and Eyes

Numerous studies now confirm that nature-based activities like walking, gardening, or playing in green spaces not only boost mood but are also more cost-effective than traditional therapies. For example:

• Dose of Nature, a UK initiative, found a 40% drop in GP visits among participants and major improvements in depression and anxiety levels.

• A systematic review in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found green exercise and gardening particularly effective for improving mental health—even in people with existing conditions.

• Outdoor physical activity has been shown to reduce anxiety and fatigue, while enhancing positive feelings and energy levels—even more so than indoor or urban exercise.

  
  

👁️ Preventing Myopia Starts Early

While these mental health benefits are compelling, the link between outdoor time and eye health is equally crucial. Research shows that spending more time outdoors before myopia begins—typically between ages 6 and 13—is the most effective window to reduce a child’s risk.

As children spend increasing hours on screens and schoolwork indoors, the eye’s natural development can be disrupted. The bright, broad-focus conditions of outdoor light help regulate eye growth and reduce the chances of the eyeball elongating—a key factor in developing myopia.

According to a recent overview of systematic reviews, outdoor time is particularly effective in preventing the onset of myopia, though it is less effective at slowing its progression once it has begun.

🧠 + 👁️ = A Simple Daily Habit

This week, let’s not just talk about mental health—let’s take action. Encourage your children to step away from screens, grab a football, go for a walk, or simply explore nature. You’ll be protecting both their emotional wellbeing and visual health.

👉 For more about how outdoor time supports myopia prevention, read our complete guide to myopia management and control.

Sharing is Caring!

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And as always, if you’re concerned about your child’s vision, book an appointment with your local Eye Care Professional. Early prevention is key.