Experiences of Awe
In the article “Why You Need To Protect Your Sense of Wonder - Especially Now,” researchers Karen Reivich and David Fessell discuss the evidence-based resilience practice of experiencing awe. University of Michigan psychologist Ethan Kross defines awe as “the wonder we feel when encountering something powerful that we can’t easily explain.”
Through nature, art, spirituality - anything offering a sense of complexity and vastness - we can access experiences of daily awe. To say we live in stressful times is putting things lightly. As we navigate a world that feels increasingly unstable, rates of depression and anxiety continue to skyrocket. Accessing experiences of awe provides an antidote through hope and actionable renewal. As we tap into experiencing something larger than ourselves, our mental distress decreases alongside our sense of self. Research shows that people who regularly experience awe report higher overall life satisfaction and well-being.
A simple and powerful way to experience awe is through taking an “awe walk.” Try setting aside ten to twenty minutes to wander, be curious, and observe the everyday beauty around you. This can be done anywhere - your backyard, neighborhood streets, outside your office, etc. Research does show that walks in nature, compared to urban environments, have a more significant positive effect on our mood and well-being. Immersive experiences in nature positively impact our mental and physical health.
However, if you can't get outdoors, research also shows the benefits of experiencing awe digitally. Pull up an award-winning nature documentary or create your own “awe playlist” of music, images, or videos (I made a private board for myself on Pinterest). One simple way to invite moments of awe into your daily life is to ask yourself the simple question, “What’s beautiful here?” Through nonjudgmentally observing and describing our surroundings and experience, we can harness the power of grounding, transcendence, and resiliency within these moments of pause.
My favorite way to practice awe is resting in my backyard hammock, looking up at the tree canopy against the vast sky, listening to the birdsong and tickle of wind through branches, and feeling the same tickle against the skin of my face. Afterward, I always feel more centered, present, and focused. I feel empowered to better weather the storms of daily living in this shaky world.