Astronauts on the International Space Station work in an out-of-this-world environment that is extremely demanding on both body and mind. Disrupted schedules, isolation, workload, physiological changes and extreme conditions can all affect wellbeing and performance. As a result, astronauts often face elevated stress and poor sleep, which can have serious consequences both on their safety and their performance levels.
To help reduce these behavioural risks, scientists have developed two guided relaxation protocols delivered as short audio sessions – one focused on reducing stress, and the other aimed at promoting better sleep. Similar techniques have shown promising results on Earth and in space-analogue environments, but their effectiveness needs to be demonstrated directly in real conditions, in space.
Astronauts subjectively evaluate how these relaxation sessions affect their sleep and stress levels, but the study also relies on objective physiological markers. These include sleep and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) monitoring, saliva samples analysed for stress‑related biomarkers and even hair samples that can indicate long‑term stress exposure.
"Staying at your best in space isn't just about good hygiene, plenty of exercise and precise nutrition. Life in orbit is demanding, with busy schedules, occasional disrupted sleep and the challenges of microgravity, and for decades, astronauts have developed their own relaxation and meditation routines. In space as on Earth, staying at your best is sometimes also knowing when to slow down and breathe!", explains ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, who is taking part in the RelaxPro study during εpsilon, her long-duration mission.
After landing, scientists will carry out two days of additional monitoring for the RelaxPro study, including further sample collection, questionnaires and a post‑flight interview. This feedback will help refine the protocol and adapt it for future long‑duration missions, ensuring that astronauts can maintain high performance and stay safe without relying on pharmaceutical aids.
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