During 2025, King’s College completed its Fire Pit project for the residents, associates, and broader community of the College. In its design, the College identified the need for an additional space in the College for students to use, and own.

For millennia, fire has played a central role in human life…. not just for warmth, cooking, and safety, but as a focal point for storytelling, reflection, and connection. In the modern age, particularly among young adults, the act of gathering around a fire, whether at a campsite, on a beach, or in a backyard, has re-emerged as a powerful ritual that counters the relentless pace and isolation of the digital world.

Anthropologists have long identified fire as a cornerstone of human social development. British anthropologist Richard Wrangham famously argued that fire, and the cooking it enabled, helped shape not only human biology but also our social structures (Wrangham, 2009). Fire brought people together physically, encouraging communal meals and shared storytelling. These early forms of socialisation laid the groundwork for more complex emotional and cooperative relationships.

The flickering firelight, the warmth, and the crackling sound are more than just sensory experiences; they stimulate neurological responses that promote relaxation and social bonding (Barrett et al., 2010). In fact, studies have shown that watching fire can reduce blood pressure and induce a meditative, calming effect (Lynn, 2014).

Dr. Christopher D. Lynn’s research at the University of Alabama examined how fire affects human physiology. His study showed that watching a fire can lead to decreased blood pressure and increased prosocial behaviours (Lynn, 2014). Participants who observed a fire, complete with sound, experienced greater reductions in blood pressure and reported feelings of calm and relaxation, compared to those who watched a silent or static image.These effects are believed to be rooted in the parasympathetic nervous system, which governs rest and digestion. The hypnotic quality of fire activates this system, helping individuals de-stress, become more mindful, and connect more openly with those around them.

Young adults today are more connected than ever before, yet paradoxically, many report feelings of loneliness and disconnection. According to the Australian Psychological Society (2018), 1 in 4 young Australians experiences high levels of loneliness. The overuse of digital technology and social media has been linked to increased anxiety, depression, and reduced attention spans (Twenge, 2017).

In this context, the simple act of sitting around a fire, without phones, screens, or social media, becomes an act of digital rebellion. It invites presence, attentiveness, and face-to-face conversation. Fire provides a natural focus point, helping people sit comfortably in silence or conversation without the pressure to "perform" online.

Psychologist Sherry Turkle (2015) argues that conversation is the “talking cure” and that time away from screens is essential to rebuild empathy and authentic human connection. Around the fire, people often feel less judged and more willing to be vulnerable, creating a safe space for storytelling, laughter, and meaningful dialogue. Sitting around a fire often leads to storytelling, a primal and powerful form of emotional expression. Whether recounting personal memories, imagining future dreams, or retelling legends, stories help young adults process their emotions, understand their identity, and connect with others.

Storytelling also reinforces a sense of belonging and community, which is essential for psychological wellbeing. Stories are the primary way humans make sense of the world, and when told in communal settings, they strengthen bonds and cultural identity. For young adults transitioning from adolescence to independence, these moments of shared narrative can offer guidance, affirmation, and emotional support.

Being outdoors already provides a host of mental health benefits. Exposure to nature is known to reduce cortisol levels, improve mood, and enhance cognitive functioning. When combined with fire, the benefits multiply. Campfires or outdoor fire pits offer a perfect blend of nature and social connection, allowing young adults to experience "soft fascination"—a term from Attention Restoration Theory, referring to stimuli that gently engage the mind, allowing for reflection and restoration (Kaplan & Kaplan, 1989).

The synergy of nature and fire supports mindfulness, lowers stress, and fosters emotional regulation. These outcomes are particularly valuable during the high-stakes years of tertiary study, early career development, and identity formation.

Programs like Outward Bound and wilderness therapy initiatives frequently use fire circles as central components of their curriculum. In Australia, youth development programs such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and Red Earth Immersions include firelight reflection as a structured component of emotional debrief and group bonding.

These practices have been shown to support greater empathy, trust, and personal growth. In group settings, fire becomes not just a tool for warmth, but a symbolic space of honesty, transformation, and mutual respect.

Unlike many wellness trends, fire requires no special equipment or expensive subscriptions. It’s accessible to almost anyone with a safe space and responsible supervision. The communal nature of fire also transcends social and cultural barriers, it welcomes introverts and extroverts alike, offering a low-pressure environment where presence, rather than performance, is valued.

Fire gatherings promote listening, stillness, and mutual appreciation, values increasingly rare in the frenetic pace of modern life.

In an era of constant notifications, curated digital identities, and rising mental health challenges, young adults need spaces of reconnection—places where they can be present, reflect, and belong. Sitting around a fire offers just that: a timeless, grounding experience that fosters emotional wellbeing, authentic conversation, and social bonding.

King’s hopes that the Fire Pit will be used for many year’s to come at King’s and residents and associates alike come to love this space, and the refuge it provides from the pace of life.

References

• Australian Psychological Society. (2018). Loneliness in Australia: A survey exploring the loneliness levels of Australians and the impact on their health and wellbeing. https://psychology.org.au
• Barrett, H. C., Cosmides, L., & Tooby, J. (2010). An adaptationist approach to reasoning. Cognitive Science, 34(2), 197–218.
• Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. Cambridge University Press.
• Lynn, C. D. (2014). Fire and human evolution: The physiological effects of fire on the human social brain. Evolutionary Psychology, 12(5), 983–1003.
• Turkle, S. (2015). Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age. Penguin Press.
• Twenge, J. M. (2017). iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy—and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood. Atria Books.
• Wrangham, R. (2009). Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human. Basic Books.