The night sky has fascinated the human race for millennia. Mapping out constellations, exploring space and the unknown depths of the galaxy give us a sense of awe…that the world is bigger than just us. Stars and astrology have also had a resurgence for dinner table conversation and social media - “sorry I’m late…I’m a Leo”. But outside of constellations and planet positions giving us our personality traits, star gazing can have huge benefits for our wellbeing - even if you’re not quite sure what you’re looking at.
What is “star bathing”?
Akin to forest bathing, “star bathing” is stargazing in its simplest form. Looking up at the stars triggers the feeling of awe (astonishment and fascination when you see something vast and beautiful such as mountains or a sunset) which has been widely connected to improved mental and physical health. That includes less stress, more happiness and more creativity.
Star bathing, or mindful stargazing, doesn’t require any equipment or knowledge of constellations and astronomy. In fact, not knowing what you’re looking at makes it an easier activity for mindfulness. Stargazing requires effortless attention (also called soft fascination) where you can observe something without actively thinking.
Due to light pollution making the night sky a little harder to see in large cities, the benefits of stargazing have given rise to ‘dark sky tourism’. This is where people are actively seeking darker skies to reap the benefits of stargazing as a form of meditation and wellbeing.
Why your eyes need 20 minutes to see the stars
Your eyes need between 20 and 30 minutes in darkness before they can show you a night sky, and a couple of seconds of phone screen sends you back to the start.
Seeing in low light is the job of the rod cells in your retina, and rods can't work without a compound called rhodopsin. Your body only starts producing meaningful amounts of it after roughly 20 minutes of sustained low light, and the sensitivity keeps building for a good while after that. Bright light breaks rhodopsin down again, and it does so almost instantly. A few seconds of a white screen at arm's length is enough to decay it and start the whole cycle over. Deep red light is the exception, because it doesn't trigger the same breakdown, which is why astronomers work by dim red torchlight and why every observatory car park is lit like a darkroom.
So the night sky sits in an unusual category. A phone doesn't merely distract you from it, the way it distracts you from a conversation or a book you could always pick up again. A phone physically prevents it.
Benefits of stargazing for your mind and body
Similar to skychology, star bathing (or mindful stargazing) has copious benefits for your mental and physical health. Stars are billions of years old, and knowing that generations of humans have looked at the same stars that are millions of miles away creates a feeling of awe and grandeur.
Awe is the mechanism underneath most of the benefits, and it's one of the better studied emotions in psychology. Research shows that awe causes a shrinking of the self, where personal concerns lose some of their urgency, which helps reduce stress and inflammation and boost mood and sleep.
- Reduces stress Gazing at the expanse of the night sky can have a calming effect, reducing stress hormones and promoting feelings of peace.
- Improves sleep Exposure to darkness can regulate sleep patterns, leading to a better night's rest.
- Mindfulness boost Focusing on the vastness of the universe puts your daily worries in perspective and fosters a sense of awe and wonder.
- Boosts creativity Letting your mind wander can boost your brain creativity. Nature and vast views promote feelings of awe which have been linked to boosted creativity.
- Naturally tech-free You need to let your eyes adjust which means you naturally put away your phone as artificial light interferes with your focus. Plus, photos just don’t look as great as the real life show.
- Free and easily accessible You don’t need to pay a penny to look at the sky as it’s right outside your window.
Why stargazing is better with someone else
Awe makes people stop saying "I" and start saying "we". Researchers at UC Irvine went through how millions of people wrote about a total eclipse, and the ones who saw it used far more words like "us" and "together", while talking about themselves noticeably less. Watching alongside other people seems to amplify the feeling of awe rather than dilute it. Looking up next to someone does something to both of you, and it does it without either of you having to say much.
6 stargazing tips for beginners
Stargazing can appear complicated, with complicated maps and different constellations to learn. But for mindfulness, you don’t need to know much. Here are 6 top tips on how to starbathe or stargaze for mindfulness.
1. Put your phone away 30 minutes before you start
Your eyes need about 20-30 minutes to adjust to the darkness and just one glance at your phone resets the timer, so put your phone in another room or bag.
2. Use a dim red light instead of a torch
A head torch on red mode, or a normal torch with a piece of red cellophane taped over it, will help you see if you need to without undoing your night vision.
3. Use averted vision to see faint stars
Your rod cells sit mostly off to the sides of your retina rather than in the centre, so the faintest objects appear when you aren't looking straight at them. Pick a patch of sky, then focus a little way off from it, and things you couldn't see a moment ago will surface in your peripheral vision. This is called averted vision, and it's the single most satisfying trick in stargazing.
4. Lie down and don't try to name constellations
Crane your neck upward for twenty minutes and you'll be thinking about your neck rather than the sky. Use a roll mat, a picnic blanket or a reclining chair, anything that lets you look up with your head supported. Resist the urge to name what you're seeing and just look at the sky.
5. Choose a dark sky location
How much you see comes down mostly to how far you are from artificial light. Get clear of street lights and check a light pollution map before you drive so you know what you're getting.
6. Dress warmly for standing still outdoors
You will be motionless outdoors for half an hour or more, which is colder than the same weather feels when you're walking. Layers, hat, proper socks, and something hot in a flask.
The best dark sky places in the UK for stargazing
With our towns and cities becoming increasingly bigger and brighter with artificial light, it can be harder to get the full experience of the night’s sky. Here are some great spots to stargaze in the UK:
- South Downs National Park Home to an International Dark Sky Reserve and just 50 miles from London. Our cabins such as Gruff, Basil, Roland and Olive are great stargazing spots.
- Galloway Forest Park, Scotland As the UK's first Dark Sky Park, it offers stunning views of the Milky Way and numerous stars.
- Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales Also known as Bannau Brycheiniog, and a Dark Sky Reserve since 2013 with skies protected to a standard very few populated areas in Britain can match.
- Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water. Known for its dark skies and hosting a dedicated observatory, it's a haven for astronomers and casual star gazers alike.
- Exmoor National Park, Devon and Somerset The first International Dark Sky Reserve in Europe, designated in 2011, with very little artificial light anywhere over the moor.
Find the best stargazing spot near you HERE.
So, ditch the screens, grab a blanket, and head out for a dose of star bathing. You might just discover the universe holds the key to inner peace, right above your head.