Cosmic Wellness: Finding Peace Under the Night Sky

Have you ever looked up into the vastness of the night sky and been awed by the beauty and mysteries of the universe? The dark sky, sprinkled with stars that are unimaginably large and distant, invites us into a kind of quiet awe. Experiencing this kind of awe can be profoundly emotional and spiritual for many who take the time to slow down and simply be still beneath the canopy of the cosmos.

​

Growing up in a remote desert town, stargazing was and still is a beloved pastime for many. Whether you call it mindful stargazing or star bathing, the experience is timeless and full of awe, inspiration, imagination, and peace.

​

One of my earliest memories of this is when my dad woke me and my siblings in the middle of the night to drive out to the Pinnacles and witness Halley’s Comet. I was eight or nine years old. The memory is cloaked in adventure—being woken up in the dark, taken to what felt like an exotic location, and seeing something that might only happen once in a lifetime. My dad knew the significance of that moment, even if we didn’t at the time. It's a reminder that often, the most lasting impressions come from the simplest acts of wonder shared together.

​

This experience stands out for two big reasons. First, it was unusual and special—quality time with family doing something rare and beautiful. But more than that, the night sky offered something profound. It gave us a glimpse into the universe, a connection not only with each other but with something far greater. The stars I saw that night were the same stars seen by generations before me. That shared view across time brings a deep sense of connection—both human and divine.

​

There’s plenty of research showing that spending time in green spaces and nature can reduce stress, boost mood, and support mental health. But what about the night sky? Could the night sky also be a form of therapy?

​

It’s hard to find a lot of research in this particular area but the Night Sky Connectedness Index (NSCI) is one tool that explores just that — measuring how emotionally and spiritually connected people feel when viewing the night sky. The results point to benefits such as increased sense of peace, reflection, and improved well-being. For many, there’s a clear spiritual component to this experience—a reminder of our place in the universe and the God who created it all.

​

Cosmic wellness may be a new term, but the act of stargazing and the sense of rest, the sense of awe and the connection to something bigger than us is as old as time. Sometimes, we just need to stop, look up into the vastness of the night sky to find rest for our soul, clarity for our mind, and stillness for our busy lives. It gives us permission to pause, breathe, and simply be. If you’ve never tried stargazing as part of your wellness practice, now is the perfect time.

​

The China Lake Astronomical Society hosts several stargazing opportunities for the local area. You can visit https://www.chinalakeastro.org/ for up-to-date stargazing opportunities.

 

Now is a great time to explore the dark skies with the Perseid meteor shower being active from July 17 to August 24, with peak viewing in mid-August. It’s as easy as stepping outside, finding a dark spot away from city lights, and looking up. Cosmic wellness may be just what you need – after all, sometimes wellness doesn’t mean doing more.