During the winter of the 2020 Covid 19 pandemic I was searching for ways in which people might find some comfort and relief from what was a particularly challenging moment in the world. I came across an article about some research conducted into the power of “awe” and have been talking to people about this and practicing it myself ever since.
What is awe?
Awe is a complex emotional response that arises when we encounter something vast, profound, or beyond our usual frame of reference. It’s the feeling you get when gazing at a sky full of stars, standing at the edge of a mountain, noticing the beauty of a flower or watching a powerful performance. Awe has been described as a combination of two key elements: (1) vastness and (2) a need for cognitive accommodation i.e., where our mental frameworks must expand to make sense of what we’re experiencing (Keltner & Haidt; 2003). Awe not only shifts our perspective but also connects us to something larger than ourselves.
Research on awe and wellbeing:
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it can be easy to lose sight of the sheer wonder of the world around us. Dacher Keltner, a professor of Psychology at University of California, Berkeley, proposes that cultivating a sense of awe can offer profound benefits for mental health and overall wellbeing. In a paper written by Dacher and Monroy (2023) they ask why is it that spending time in nature, listening to a piece of music, dancing at a music festival and engaging in the spiritual world is good for our wellbeing? They make the link between these experiences and the sense of awe and wonder with the world that they generate. Experiencing awe also helps us to connect with our inner child, rediscovering the joy in the small things, the new things and the everyday phenomenon that often gets lost as we grow older.
Numerous studies highlight the mental health benefits of experiencing awe. Sturm et al. (2020) found that awe can reduce activity in the brain’s default mode network, a region associated with introspective thinking and rumination. By quieting this network, awe helps individuals break free from negative thought patterns, such as anxiety and overthinking.
Awe walks:
One particularly effective way to harness this power is through “awe walks”, which are purposeful walks designed to immerse yourself in the beauty and vastness of nature or your surroundings. Recent research suggests that this simple, yet transformative habit can significantly enhance mental health, fostering emotional resilience, reduced stress, and a greater sense of connection to the world.
How to incorporate awe walks into your routine:
Firstly, it won’t take a dramatic lifestyle overhaul! Even short walks in familiar settings can inspire awe if approached with intention.
Setting:
Choose a location that inspires wonder. This might be a forest trail, a historic site, or if you live in the city it could be a local park, or an area where you can marvel at the impressive architecture.
Engage Your Senses:
Pay attention to the sights, sounds, smells, and textures around you. What details stand out?
Adopt a Beginner’s Mindset
Approach the walk as if you’re seeing everything for the first time, focusing on novelty and curiosity
Reflect on Vastness
Contemplate the immensity of what you’re observing. How does it connect to larger systems, such as nature or human history?
Express Gratitude
End your walk with a moment of gratitude for the experience and the beauty around you.
Benefits of awe walks for mental health:
- Studies show that awe can lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress (Sturm et al., 2020). By shifting focus outward, awe walks help calm the mind and reduce anxiety.
- Bai et al. (2021) found that awe walks can increase feelings of joy and contentment. Experiencing the vastness of nature or human creativity often inspires a sense of wonder that improves mood.
- Regular exposure to awe helps individuals build resilience. When faced with life’s challenges, the perspective gained from awe i.e., that we’re part of something larger, can offer comfort and strength.
- Awe often leads to prosocial behaviours. Feeling small in the face of something vast can foster humility and a stronger desire to connect with others (Keltner & Haidt, 2003)
To conclude:
Awe is more than an emotion – it’s a gateway to improved mental health and a greater sense of wellbeing. By engaging in awe walks, we can reconnect with the world’s beauty and vastness, reducing stress, enhancing happiness, and fostering resilience. In a world that often feels overwhelming, awe provides a vital antidote. It’s reminder of the profound and extraordinary that exists all around us!
So next time you’re feeling stressed or disconnected, get your shoes on and step outside with a sense of wonder. You might just find that awe is the mental reset you didn’t know you needed.
Author: Sarah Childs
Psychotherapist MBPsS, MSc, BA (Hons), (Reg MBACP)
