Sunsets make for dramatic views, but there’s a subtler way to enjoy the evening sky that’s currently gaining traction: dusking. A form of mindfulness available to everyone, the ritual involves simply spending time outside to observe the dusk, or the descent of darkness at twilight.
Once a nightly norm in Dutch culture, the tradition embraces the natural pause between day and night and offers a brief respite from technology and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. To make the most of it, Dutch author Marjolijn van Heemstra, who organizes dusking events in the U.K., advises incorporating a meditation element into your practice. “Dusking is about looking at one point and seeing it fade,” she told The Guardian. “Don’t look around too much; focus. Trees are very good — they rise up for a moment and then fade away.”
Prioritizing darkness, even for a short period of time, may also help combat the potential health effects of light pollution, which include suppressing melatonin and interrupting circadian rhythms, the outlet points out. And van Heemstra emphasized that dusking is no fancy wellness trend. “You don’t have to go into a dark forest,” she said. “All you need is a chair and a view. It’s cheap, easy, and a nice thought exercise — we live on a planet, miracles are happening every day and we can witness them.”
Source: Nice News Daily Edition • March 7, 2026
