Yoga and Meditation in the Private Sphere of Astronauts: Non-Pharmaceutical Measures of Resilience in Social Isolation and Confinement
David W. Kim
Mitteilungen Klosterneuburg 2025 DOI: 10.61586/hdap3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | yoga meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Psychological resilience Resilience materials science Isolation microbiology Mental health Vitality Natural hazard Sustainability Balance ability Public relations Applied psychology Scope computer science Social isolation Productivity Space exploration Environmental resource management Mindset Adaptation eye Space punctuation |
| Key points | Argues that yoga and meditation can enhance resilience and psychological vitality among astronauts, mitigating risks of social isolation and confinement on long-duration space missions. |
Abstract
Since the inception of space exploration from the 1950s, the selection of astronauts has been a critical component along with technological advancements in rocket and spacecraft development. As missions began to extend beyond six months in the 2010s, the management of daily schedules— particularly in terms of striking a balance between public duties and private time—became essential for sustainable productivity and well-being among astronauts. As space lacks natural day and night cycles, questions have emerged regarding daily routines, the structure of personal time and its potential impact on astronautical performance. Astronaut’s management of private time—sleep, rest and leisure—may significantly influence their mental health and the overall success of a mission. This study explores time management strategies for future deep space explorations, including lunar and Martian expeditions in the 2030s. While official schedules are meticulously structured—covering operations, scientific research, maintenance, training, exercise and meals—safeguards for private time remains in place, except during emergencies. The role of this private sphere extends beyond basic rest, thus contributing to human health under extreme environments. In addition to analysing the competitiveness of personal time, this paper argues a new hypothesis that non-pharmaceutical activities of yoga (physical movement) and meditation (mental sustainability) can enhance resilience and psychological vitality among the crews. These feasible practices, although outside the scope of traditional STEM frameworks, may mitigate key internal risks in the space condition of social isolation and confinement. Understanding and optimising the balance between private and public times could be imperative in maintaining the health, safety and team performance of astronauts on future interplanetary missions.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. | 2004 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mechanisms of mindfulness | 2005 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work? Proposing Mechanisms of Action From a Conceptual and Neural Perspective | 2011 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression | 2006 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-transcendence (S-ART): a framework for understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness | 2012 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |