How do astronauts take care of their mental health in space?

January is National Mental Wellness Month, which has us thinking about how astronauts address their mental health in space.  Spaceflight can be both physically and mentally taxing.  Astronauts work in a high-pressure job that can be draining, often facing separation from their loved ones for months at a time.  Future deep space exploration missions will require a small group of astronauts to live and work in a confined space for up to two and a half years.  Here are some of the ways that astronauts deal with the psychological demands of space travel.

Physical activity: Astronauts exercise up to two hours a day.  This is to counter the adverse effects of space travel on the human body, but exercise has been proven to have a positive impact on the mind as well.

Training and preparation: Astronauts receive extensive training to prepare for space travel, including simulations in isolated environments, team-building exercises, and psychological training designed to help them apply self-assessment tools and treatments to maintain good mental health.

Good sleep: Astronauts suffer from a lack of natural light to help maintain their circadian rhythms and get good sleep.  To combat this, they use various technologies to help simulate a good sleep environment.  This includes special LED lighting, noise cancelling earbuds, sleep masks, and cozy sleep pods.

Social activities: Crewmembers gather for meals, holidays, and various social activities while in space.  This includes activities like watching a movie or playing board games together.  This helps the crew to bond as a team and having connections helps strengthen mental health.

Relaxation: Astronauts have downtime built into their schedules.  A week in space is designed to mimic a week on Earth, with five days of work and then two days of rest.   Just to name a few things astronauts might do during downtime, they might read, play instruments, listen to music, connect with loved ones, practice their religious traditions, or spend time writing.  Internet phones and videoconference systems allow astronauts to stay connected with family and friends on Earth.

Care packages: Letters, treats, and gifts from home sent on resupply missions help astronauts feel connected to their homes and families.