How to stargaze for good mental health
You don’t need equipment to reap the benefits of stargazing. Try these positivity-promoting tips
There’s no need to sit outside for hours on end, waiting for a glimpse of a specific constellation or meteor shower. Even taking just 10 minutes to locate Orion’s Belt or notice the phase of the Moon each night can help to reduce stress.
IMMERSE YOURSELF
While smartphone apps can help us name the things we’re seeing in the sky, our phones can also remind us of everyday stressors. To really be mindful, we need to focus on the sights and sounds in our present. Let your mind wander and remove any judgement from your thoughts: if you don’t know the correct name of the constellation, that’s okay.
FIND A TIME THAT WORKS FOR YOU
Staying up late or getting up early doesn’t work for everyone. Instead, find opportunities to appreciate the sky within your current routine. Look up while you’re putting the bins out or notice the colours that the setting Sun casts during your commute home. On the nights you have trouble sleeping, try looking out at the stars through a window.
STAY SAFE
Though stargazing has positive impacts on our mental health, it can also make us confront potentially anxiety-inducing concepts. If at any point you feel you need help, you can call the Samaritans mental health crisis service for free on 116 123 (UK).