Stargazing study shows promise for improving mental health

RESEARCHERS are uncovering how stargazing experiences can reduce stress, improve mood, and strengthen social connection. | Supplied

- 

A PIONEERING South African research project is turning to the night sky to address rising mental health challenges, with early findings showing that stargazing can reduce depression and anxiety while strengthening social connections.

Researchers from Stellenbosch University’s CoCREATE Health Hub and the International Astronomical Union's Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) are leading the initiative to scientifically examine how awe, nature immersion and “cosmic perspective-taking” influence emotional well-being.

The project, Astronomy for Mental Health, explores how structured stargazing sessions, from community gatherings to overnight retreats, can support mental health.

The research builds on Stephen Kaplan's Attention Restoration Theory, which suggests that gentle, sensory environments help the brain recover from mental fatigue.