Star bathing is transforming wellness trends from the Yorkshire Moors to the South African wilderness. Helping people discover tranquillity under the incredible night sky, this activity provides a great sense of amazement, calm, and a cosmic reset.

Star bathing is about losing oneself in the celestial beauty above, unlike conventional stargazing, which emphasizes constellation identification. Scientific studies have shown that this immersive experience might help one relax the nervous system, increase pleasure, and give perspective.

What happens during a session of star-bathing?

Lying on heather moorland on the Yorkshire Moors in an empty Victorian bathtub, the heavens above gradually darken from blue to violet to navy. Stars are filling the night sky more and more. Tucked under blankets, participants follow a star bathing guide through a meditation.

“Let yourself be astounded by the amazing perspective you are seeing,” the guide advises gently. “We are here, right now, on this lovely evening; appreciate it. Pay soft attention to your breath and the sky. Be.

The sensation is at first strange—maybe cold, perhaps self-conscious—but something changes as the night gets darker. Daily stress and worries give way to a strong feeling of cosmic connectedness. The experience is meditative, helping one feel a part of something much more than oneself.

How can experiencing awe improve mental health?

Experiencing wonder has been linked in psychological studies to a dropping heart rate, raising oxytocin levels, and lowering inflammation. Mark Westmoquette, an astrophysicist and meditation teacher, says this sense of amazement is quite helpful for mental health.

“Regular experience of wonder helps us feel connected to something greater than ourselves”, he says. “That sense of wonder and awe can truly change our viewpoint around who and what we are as we gaze up at the night sky and become aware of our place within it.”

Although the advantages of being in nature are well established, the impacts of being in a natural nighttime setting are only starting to be investigated. The Journal of Environmental Psychology released a Night Sky Connectedness Index in February 2024 that showed that a stronger connection to the night sky correlates favourably with mental health and happiness. The Office of Astronomy for Development also looks at how astronomy may be applied to help mental health.

Where across the world are the best star-bathing retreats?

Many look for further chances to fully engage in star bathing after having it in Yorkshire. Three-night star bathing getaways with guided stargazing, mindfulness, breathwork, and night walks abound from luxury off-grid retreat locations like Bliss & Stars in South Africa.

Retreat founder Daria Rasmussen notes, “One guest, numbed by years of trauma, described observing Saturn’s rings as ‘awe as exorcism,’ a moment that rebooted his capacity for joy.” “Another guest, a grieving mother, found solace in our wilderness night visits, saying: ‘It felt like the universe was grieving with me.'”

Other renowned destinations include:

• Chile’s Atacama Desert: Home to the world’s darkest, clearest skies, Elqui Domos Hotel features geodesic rooms with retractable roofs, allowing guests to stargaze directly from their beds.
• Hotel Ranga, Iceland: Offers mindful stargazing from geothermal outdoor hot tubs, along with access to a state-of-the-art observatory.
• Cairngorm Excursions, Scotland: This company hosts star bathing parties with hot drinks, traditional Scottish stovies, and gin, whisky, and rum tastings.

What Can Indigenous Star Stories Teach Us?

Aboriginal Australians are believed to be the world’s first astronomers, and their ancient knowledge of the stars is now being shared through immersive experiences.

• Ngurrangga Tours (Western Australia): This company Offers overnight trips in Millstream Chichester National Park, combining camping, wilderness exploration, and Indigenous star stories.
• Fantasea Cruising (Sydney) hosts an Aboriginal Sky Dreaming Cruise, during which an Indigenous astronomer shares traditional stories about the Sun, Moon, and stars.

These experiences connect to the cosmos and ancient cultures that have observed and revered the night sky for thousands of years.

Is home star bathing possible?

Star bathing is still a good habit even in light pollution-producing cities. Lying on a blanket in a backyard or park and staring at the stars—even if just a few are visible—can induce tranquillity and awe.

“Even if you can only see one star, that light has been traveling across the universe for hundreds of years to reach your eye at that exact moment,” notes Westmoquette. “You are seeing that beam of hope against all the circumstances. That indicates something.”

As the practice of star bathing expands, more individuals find the night sky’s fundamental but profound therapeutic power. Looking up at the stars is a timeless and transforming experience, whether in the far wilderness or from the comfort of home.