I love stargazing. That’s the primary reason why I go on camping adventures – to be able to gaze up at the sky at various altitudes without solid walls and a roof covering my view. The experience is humbling, in my opinion, because it allows me to remember how vast the universe is and that I’m merely one of its gazillion inhabitants.
Whenever I’m looking at the stars, I can’t help but think of the millions of individuals suffering from mental disorders and how it may benefit them too. Will it lessen their misery? Can it help strengthen their hold on reality? So, I tend to wonder, “Can an online psychiatrist recommend this activity to their patients?”
Before answering that, let’s check out the advantages of stargazing first.
- It Calms Thoughts Down
Just like with humor therapy, watching the stars shine bright and twinkle from a distance is enough to forget worrying about ideas and everything else around you. That’s when the mind relaxes and gives peace to the person. Creative thoughts may also come at this point, which can be beneficial for artists.
According to Carolyn Ferreira, PSYD, “Worrying does not accomplish anything except feeling terrible.”
- It Brings Forth Generosity
A sense of amazement alters the attitude of individuals toward others. This much can be taken away from the research published by the University of California-Irvine, wherein they investigated how awe affects behaviors. One of their experiments included stargazing, and it enabled the respondents to be more generous than ever.
- It Feeds The Soul
Stargazing offers you something else to think about besides the psychological issues, such as the names of the stars and their distance from Earth and the sun. Every time you find out what those are, you’ll feel accomplished and satisfied with yourself. Sooner than later, your self-esteem may soar up high and crush the mental disease.
Molly Ahern, MA, LPC, said, “There is a place in the soul that neither time, nor space, nor any created thing can touch…an inner kind of sanctuary…”
Now, what makes online therapy efficient?
- It Elicits Positive Changes
Virtual counseling works when the patient rarely or no longer acts based on their assumptions. Rather than being impulsive, they try to understand what others mean by their movements or words. It is especially true for folks with personality disorders.
- It Clarifies The Mind
An effective therapy also clears the predisposed thoughts of patients about themselves or the people around them. Those who feel alone can see the support their family and friends can provide; the distant ones learn to socialize again and not consider everyone their enemy.
- It Promotes Self-Acceptance
Depression often stems from the individual’s insecurities and pressing belief that losing a person, pet, or job is the end of everything. Therapists, therefore, give them the chance to realize that the opinion of others doesn’t matter. This way, they can boost their confidence level.
As a final note, remember that Laura Torres, LPC, said, “Do you deny an integral part of yourself? Do you stop listening to your sensitivity? Do you make it your goal to grow thicker, tougher skin? What you do is you honor yourself.”
Can A Psychiatrist Recommend Stargazing To Patients?
Tying up the characteristics of effective counseling to the benefits of stargazing makes it effortless to notice the perks of suggesting the latter to people with mental illnesses. I can’t go as far as saying it can be a form of therapy, though, because that will require new scientific investigations. Speak with a counselor from BetterHelp or any online counseling platform to know if it can complement your healing sessions.
Cheers!