April has been designated as Stress Awareness Month. The intent of this global month-long event is to improve understanding of the causes and symptoms of stress, as well the importance of prioritizing stress relief and mitigation as part of a healthy lifestyle that includes generous levels of mental self-care. Another important April observation is Earth Day. Today we cover a topic that aligns to both of these important focus areas: Stargazing!
The Wonders of Stargazing
If you are interested in wellness and wellbeing, chances are you have heard many times how wonderful it is for us to get regular doses of sunshine.
All kinds of magical things happen when we get short, well-timed fixes of those amazing rays. Sunshine improves our sleep, helps our mental and emotional well-being, and even boosts our happiness levels.
The unsung hero? The night sky.
Benefits
Because getting regular doses of moonlight and spending time stargazing brings its own set of magical benefits, too.
Stargazing brings us some of the good feelings you may expect.
When we enjoy gazing at the heavens, we feel more grounded. We are also reminded about our own small place in the universe.
Gazing at the night sky can also help us gain perspective about life issues.
Somehow the vastness of the heavens and the constancy of the moon and the stars can bring us peace and calm.
But beyond all these wonderful things, admiring the night sky also brings some surprising benefits.
- An unexpected bonus occurs when we gaze at the night sky. As it reinforces our perspective about our own lives and presence, stargazing creates downstream benefits, too. For one, stargazing has been shown to make us kinder and more compassionate to others.
- Just as sunlight helps us know when it’s time to awaken, gazing at the night sky helps our bodies remember that it’s time to sleep. How? Darkness reinforces the evening end of our circadian rhythm cycle. This is why it’s also important to minimize viewing screens later in the evening – darkness is the natural cue for us to go to sleep.
- Stargazing has also been shown to boost our creativity. This includes creativity through art, writing, or even problem-solving. If you’ve hit a brick wall with a project at work, have a case of writer’s block, or if you’re trying to figure out how to handle a complex relationship, gazing at the night sky may help you see new possibilities and solutions.
- It is difficult to worry about the past or the future when we are gazing at a breathtaking night sky. The beauty and the wonder of the stars and moon capture our attention and bring us fully into the moment. By doing so, the night sky helps us to become more mindful while simultaneously reducing our stress levels. The downstream benefits of this include a slower heart rate and lower blood pressure, just for starters.
How to Make the Most of Stargazing
Though many of us love to admire a beautiful full moon, the best time for stargazing is actually when there is no moon in the sky.
This time, known as the new moon, is the time when you will see the most stars and planets.
To take stargazing to the next level, it pays to learn a little more about the night sky. You can purchase your own star maps to understand more about the stars, planets, and constellations.
Should you decide you want to get a closer look at the beauty of the night sky, a reasonably priced telescope can open up a whole new world of wonder.
Experiencing wonder and awe, together, have been linked to increased levels of happiness, health, and well-being.
So, make stargazing your new hobby. Embrace the beauty of the heavens every night you can!
If you enjoyed this article, you’ll also love: Sound Bathing: How to Use It to Transform Your Life.
You may also enjoy Forest Bathing: How to Rejuvenate Heart and Soul.
Thank you as always for reading.
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Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a private sector corporate executive and 15 years as a consultant. The common thread through her professional life has been a commitment to compassionate coaching and leadership, including mentoring early and mid-career professionals as well as current and future executives and leaders. KindCompassCoach articles are backed by research and include facts and advice from relevant experts. Joan is a member of the International Organization of Life Coaches, serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.
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One Response
What a great reminder of something we have probably all sensed at some point! Stargazing is wonderful for the soul – and it turns out there are physical health benefits, too! Thanks for sharing this, Joan!