The text highlights the challenges astronauts face on the International Space Station (ISS), including disrupted schedules, isolation, and physiological changes that can lead to stress and poor sleep. To combat these issues, scientists have developed two guided relaxation protocols—one targeting stress reduction and the other focusing on improving sleep.
These relaxation techniques, while previously effective in terrestrial and space-analogue settings, are now being tested in real space conditions to assess their impact on astronauts’ sleep and stress levels. Astronauts will provide both subjective evaluations and objective physiological data, such as sleep patterns and stress biomarkers from saliva and hair samples.
ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot emphasizes the importance of maintaining well-being through relaxation and meditation, which are crucial in the demanding environment of space. Following her mission, additional monitoring and assessments will help refine these protocols for future long-duration missions, ultimately aiming to support astronaut performance without the need for pharmaceuticals.
