As we prepare to venture for long periods farther into space, to the Moon and eventually to Mars, experts are thinking of innovations and ways for astronauts to feel connected to home. (Credit: CSA/ ESA/ NASA)Īs you can see, a lot of effort goes into preserving astronauts' mental wellness, but more work needs to be done. Technologies like smart watches and smart shirts track vital signs and sleep patterns, to help crewmembers manage stress and fatigue.ĮSA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti talks about the most difficult aspects related to mental health during future long-distance or long-duration missions. Internet phones and videoconference systems, and even virtual reality, allow astronauts to stay connected with family and friends on Earth. Former CSA astronaut Chris Hadfield would receive recordings of the Maple Leafs game to watch while he was on the treadmill. Technologies: Astronauts have access to devices with their favourite movies, shows, books, playlists, podcasts and audiobooks. Some astronauts reported liking the fresh smell of pine when the crew was growing spruce seedlings for an experiment. They also very much like growing plants and vegetables – it boosts morale and provides good nutrition and fresh oxygen. ![]() Just like you decorate your room with items that make you feel good, astronauts bring photos and objects that remind them of home. (Credit: CSA/ ESA/ NASA)Įnvironment: Keeping the spacecraft clean and organized, and following a schedule help create stability. ![]() The idea is to give astronauts a safe space to vent their frustrations, provide an emotional outlet as well as give researchers a tool to study behavioral issues and help assess the mental and emotional states associated with life in long-term isolation and confinement.ĮSA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti explains how receiving care packages from loved ones helps astronauts feel well. Some astronauts have also taken to journaling. They can connect with loved ones and spend time writing, meditating or practising their religious traditions. Some read books, play an instrument or listen to music. During their time off, they often relax by watching Earth go by. ![]() A normal week in space is designed to mimic the astronauts' routine on Earth as much as possible, and consists of five days of work and two days of rest (although Saturday is also used for chores). Relaxation and self-care: As mentioned above, astronauts have downtime built into their schedules. You can learn more about how light affects mental and physical health from our friends at Let's Talk Science. Special LED lighting, noise cancelling earbuds and sleep masks, cozy sleep pods and relaxation time built into their schedules help mitigate the risks of bad sleep in space. They also suffer from the lack of natural light, which also affects their sleep cycle. Astronauts aboard the ISS see 16 sunrises and sunsets a day. Now think of the impact that this could have when living in a complex spacecraft in the dangerous environment of space. A prolonged lack of sleep can also lead to depression and other illnesses. Good sleep: If you've ever had a bad night's sleep, you have felt the effects of bad sleep: you feel grumpy, you can be a bit clumsy, you are not as productive and sometimes you can't focus at all. However, countless studies show that being active and eating well have a positive effect on the mind as well. This is to counteract the adverse effects of space on the human body. Physical activity: Astronauts exercise up to two hours each day using different devices. ![]() Some of these can help you cope with challenging situations here on Earth, too! Thankfully, there are various strategies, tools and training to help them stay mentally healthy. (Credit: CSA/ ESA/ NASA)Īstronauts have a stressful, high-pressure job that can be mentally draining. European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti shares a few things that astronauts commonly do to care for their physical and mental health while aboard the International Space Station ( ISS).
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