The Healing Power of Awe
When was the last time you stopped in your tracks because something was so breathtakingly magnificent? Maybe it was a sunset streaked with rich yellows and deep purples, the array of changing hues of an autumn forest, a piece of music that made the hair on your arms rise, or the gentle cascade of waves on the rocky surf. Intuitively, you know that experiencing these moments is good for you. Here’s why:
When we can’t fully comprehend something because of how grand and beautiful it is, we feel awe. Immediately, because it’s greater than we can fathom, we are pulled out of our lives and placed in perspective, remembering that we’re just a small speck amidst the enormity of the universe. Our problems become small, and we remember that we belong to something far greater. We feel more curious, open, and connected.
The Research
Recent research supports this greatly. In 2022, a study at UCSF followed older adults who took 15 minute walks every day for eight weeks, dividing them randomly into two groups (Sturm et al.). The first (control) group was given no instructions for their walks, and the second (“awe”) group was instructed to find wonder and novelty every day.
The results were astounding. Participants in the “awe” group experienced more joy and less daily distress than those who took ordinary walks (Sturm et al.). Over time, they also placed themselves smaller in their own photos, giving more of the frame to the world around them. Researchers called this the “small self”: a healthy sense of proportion that loosens the grip of our worries and opens us toward connection, compassion, and gratitude.
Amazingly, it turns out that the benefits of awe go beyond the psychological. A separate study at UC Berkeley found that people who experience awe more often have lower markers of inflammation (Stellar et al.). Interestingly, awe was the strongest predictor of lower inflammation, more so than other positive emotions like joy and contentment.
Experiencing awe doesn’t require a trip to Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. It is available in the veins of a single autumn leaf, the gentle embrace of a light wind gust, and the unexpected kindness of a stranger. All you have to do is pay attention.
An Awe Walk Practice
Set aside 15 minutes and head outside, ideally somewhere with a bit of nature. Leave your phone in your pocket, or use it only to take a single photo.
As you walk, look at the world as if for the first time. Notice what’s expansive, like the sky or the height of the trees, and what’s intricate, like the patterns in bark, the movement of light, and the rustling of leaves in the wind. Let yourself be curious. When something catches you, pause and breathe it in. Afterward, notice how you feel in your body and in your heart.
Conclusion
Awe isn’t something we tend to prioritize, but it seems that it’s one of the best emotion we can feel for our heath and healing. We hope this article inspired you to find more awe in your life, even if it’s in the least expected places.
