12 Sep Don’t Lose Your Sense of Awe
Awe is an emotion that is easier to feel and experience than to explain; it is a complex mix of reverence, admiration, wonder, and sometimes dread.
It can be triggered by something powerful or beyond the mind’s comprehension, like being at the peak of a mountain after a long hike, hearing your favorite artist live for the first time, or witnessing the birth of your first child.
The feeling of awe and our brains have been the focus of several studies over the years.
Our Sense of Awe and The Brain
Different studies have looked how awe is connected to different neuropsychological profiles and physical markers, according to a 2022 study.
The studies presented that participants have implied better and physical health through health markers such as reduced inflammation and increased oxytocin release.
Another study showed that the sense of awe can cause us to think about things other than ourselves.
The same study concluded that awe can help stop us from ruminating about our problems and daily stressors, instead pulling us out of ourselves and making us become more immersed in our environment and the larger world.
When you hyperfocus on yourself, you are more prone to experience stress, loneliness, and an increased risk of cognitive decline.
It was also shown that sense of awe is linked to:
- Increased optimism, sense of connection, and well-being
- More openness to others
- Reduced anxiety, depression, and social rejection
- Lower risk of cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disease
- Increased generosity and kindness
How Do I Cultivate My Sense of Awe?
If you want to fill your days with more awe moments, here are some things you should do:
- Take it slow and linger
- Tune in to your senses
- Spend more time in nature or walking
- Go offline
- Seek novelty or new experiences
- Continue to learn about something new
Slow and steady can win the day. You give yourself more time to slow down and appreciate the moment when you have a collective safety net, especially when it comes to your health.
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Monroy, M., & Keltner, D. (2022). Awe as a Pathway to Mental and Physical Health. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 18(2), 174569162210948. https://doi.org/10.1177/17456916221094856
Can experiences of awe benefit the brain? | Cognitive Vitality | Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation. (2024). Alzdiscovery.org. https://www.alzdiscovery.org/cognitive-vitality/blog/can-experiences-of-awe-benefit-the-brain
Six Ways to Incorporate Awe Into Your Daily Life. (n.d.). Greater Good. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_ways_to_incorporate_awe_into_your_daily_life
