Some nights, when the world feels too heavy, I step outside, wrap up in blankets, and look up. The sky opens above us — vast, infinite, and steady — and for a little while, everything else fades away. I live with Complex PTSD, and my children struggle with anxiety and depression. There are days when words fall short, when nothing seems to reach them — or me. But the stars always do. Stargazing has become our shared therapy — a moment of peace and wonder that we return to again and again. It began as a way to calm anxious minds, but over time it’s grown into something far deeper.

Science now confirms what I’ve felt for years: that awe and connection to the night sky can heal. Studies from UC Berkeley and Stanford have shown that moments of awe lower inflammation, calm the nervous system, and help regulate emotions. NASA even explores how mindfulness and stargazing help astronauts manage stress in space. When we slow down to observe the sky, our breathing changes. Our bodies begin to ground naturally. The stars don’t just remind us how small we are — they remind us how connected we are.

The Evidence Behind the Awe

Psychologists call awe a “self-transcendent emotion.” It pulls us out of our heads and into something bigger —

and that shift has measurable effects. Studies show that awe reduces stress hormones, boosts positive emotion, and even decreases physical inflammation. Regular stargazing supports: Calmer nervous systems — slowing the heart rate and breathing. Improved emotional regulation — grounding through sensory focus. Reduced depressive symptoms — through awe, routine, and connection. Better sleep cycles — by aligning with natural light patterns. When we look up, we step out of survival mode. The sky becomes a mirror — reminding us that we are small, yes, but also infinite in potential.

What Is Cosmic Calm?

Cosmic Calm is a wellbeing project I created to support people living with PTSD, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm by using the night sky as a place of grounding. The idea grew from my own lived experiences and from witnessing how powerful stargazing can be when someone feels stuck, tense, or disconnected from themselves.

At its core, Cosmic Calm is simple: step into the quiet of the night, look up, and let the vastness of the universe help you breathe again. Each session blends stargazing with gentle grounding techniques, guided meditation, and moments of stillness—creating an atmosphere where people can feel safe enough to relax, reset, and reconnect.

Participants are invited to observe planets, nebulae, star clusters, and the Moon through telescopes and binoculars, or simply enjoy the sky with the naked eye. For those who want a deeper experience, I also guide short, calming meditations focused on breath awareness, sensory grounding, and finding stability in the present moment. These meditations are designed to be simple, soothing, and accessible for anyone, regardless of experience.

Cosmic Calm isn’t therapy, and it isn’t a class. It’s a supportive environment I’ve built to help people feel grounded, curious, and connected—both to the universe and to themselves.
A reminder that even in difficult times, light is always present above us… steady, patient, and waiting to be seen.

Finding Healing in the Night Sky

At Cosmic Calm, we believe the universe has a powerful way of reminding us that we’re not alone. Every nebula, star, and galaxy carries a story of pressure, darkness, transformation, and light — just like the journey of healing from PTSD or mental health struggles.

In this blog, we’re sharing a few examples of how  deep-sky images can be paired with meaningful words of strength, hope, and resilience. These captions are designed to help people feel seen, supported, and connected, no matter where they are on their healing path.

Here are some of the messages we’ve created, inspired by the cosmos…

Short Editing Tutorial using Stellar Studio + Lightroom Mobile

For anyone interested in how I create the final Cosmic Calm images, I’ve put together a short run-through of my editing process. In this guide, I show exactly how I use Stellar Studio inside the Dwarflab app, along with Lightroom Mobile, to bring out the detail, colour, and atmosphere in each capture. It’s a simple behind-the-scenes look for those who want to see how these images come together from start to finish.

Conclusion: Cosmic Calm for All

What began as a way to find peace for myself and my children has become a mission — to help others find the same. Cosmic Calm was born from those nights of stillness. It’s about creating safe spaces — whether through stargazing, mindfulness, or awe — where people with trauma, anxiety, or depression can reconnect with the universe and themselves. Because when you look up long enough, you realise something profound: The universe doesn’t just exist out there. It exists in us.