The Power of Awe: How Wonder Transforms Your Brain, Body, and Life
In a fast-paced world dominated by deadlines and digital distractions, moments of awe can feel rare. Yet research suggests that cultivating wonder is not just a pleasant experience—it can profoundly transform your life. Awe, that feeling of being small in the presence of something vast and mysterious, has been shown to reduce stress, increase compassion, enhance creativity, and even boost overall well-being. We can all use a boost, so let’s dive in and look at things with child-like wonder.
What is Awe?
Psychologists define awe as an emotional response to something so vast and extraordinary that it challenges our usual way of understanding the world. Whether standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, watching a breathtaking sunset, or hearing an inspiring piece of music, awe triggers a complex mix of amazement, reverence, and curiosity.
According to Dacher Keltner, a leading researcher on the topic from the University of California, Berkeley, awe typically involves two key elements: perceived vastness and a need for cognitive accommodation—meaning our brains must stretch to make sense of what we are experiencing.
Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it. — Roald Dahl
The Benefits of Awe
1. Stress Reduction
Experiencing awe can help dial down stress. A study published in Emotion found that participants who reported feeling awe had lower levels of interleukin-6, a marker of inflammation linked to chronic stress. In simple terms, awe can help calm your body’s fight-or-flight response, promoting relaxation and recovery.
2. Increased Compassion and Connection
Feeling awe often shifts our focus away from ourselves and onto something larger, encouraging prosocial behaviors like kindness and generosity. Research shows that awe makes people more willing to help others, more patient, and more likely to feel a sense of belonging. In a world where loneliness is increasingly recognized as a public health issue, awe might just be a surprising antidote.
3. Enhanced Creativity
Awe stimulates curiosity and open-mindedness, both critical ingredients for creativity. A study published in Psychological Science found that participants exposed to awe-inspiring experiences were better at divergent thinking tasks—a measure of creative potential. By shifting perspective and encouraging novel thought patterns, awe can open new pathways for innovation and problem-solving.
How to Cultivate Awe in Daily Life
While it's tempting to think you need to climb a mountain or travel to distant lands to feel awe, research suggests that everyday experiences can be just as powerful. Here are some practical tips to invite more awe into your life:
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Spend Time in Nature: Walking in a local park can inspire awe. Pay close attention to the intricate details of trees, find fun shapes in the clouds, or tune in to birdsong.
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Seek Out Art and Music: Visit a museum, listen to a moving symphony, or watch a powerful film. Immersive art experiences are a great way to dive in. Churches and cathedrals often have awe-inspiring architecture and art, and artistic expressions frequently evoke feelings of wonder.
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Practice Mindfulness: Being fully present increases the likelihood of noticing awe-inspiring moments. Try slowing down and observing your surroundings with fresh eyes.
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Learn Something New: Exposing yourself to new ideas, whether through books, lectures, or conversations, can expand your sense of wonder.
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Reflect on the Vastness of the Universe: Stargazing (one of my personal favorites), contemplating the cosmos, or reading about space exploration can elicit a profound sense of awe and humility.
Awesome!
Cultivating awe might seem like an indulgence in a culture that often prizes efficiency over reflection. Yet science suggests that making room for wonder in our lives isn't just enjoyable—it's essential for emotional and physical health. By deliberately seeking out awe-inspiring experiences, we can reduce stress, deepen our connections with others, spark creativity, and enrich our overall sense of meaning and fulfillment.
Next time you pause to marvel at a rainbow, lose yourself in a symphony, or stare up at a starry sky, remember: you are feeling good and transforming your life in powerful, scientifically proven ways.
I see you, and YOU are beautiful!
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Keltner, D. (2023). Awe. Penguin Books.
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Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition & emotion, 17(2), 297–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930302297
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Piff, P. K., Dietze, P., Feinberg, M., Stancato, D. M., & Keltner, D. (2015). Awe, the small self, and prosocial behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108(6), 883–899. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000018
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Rudd, M., Vohs, K. D., & Aaker, J. (2012). Awe expands people's perception of time, alters decision making, and enhances well-being. Psychological science, 23(10), 1130–1136. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612438731
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Stellar, J. E., John-Henderson, N., Anderson, C. L., Gordon, A. M., McNeil, G. D., & Keltner, D. (2015). Positive affect and markers of inflammation: discrete positive emotions predict lower levels of inflammatory cytokines. Emotion (Washington, D.C.), 15(2), 129–133. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000033
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