The Awe-Inspiring Power of… Awe

Awe stirs intense feelings of wonder and amazement, but it also has several benefits. Here’s how to get more awesome in your life.

It has been an especially stressful week. Deadlines at work are rapidly approaching, the daily parenting grind continues full steam ahead, and the resulting stress and anxiety hover above like a heavy rain cloud. 

With each new day bringing on another new challenge, that stress and anxiety compounds, feeling more overwhelmed than ever. The usual coping mechanisms don’t seem to have the same spark as they used to, and the seemingly unending cycle of worry and doubt churns on.

That’s when the unexpected happens. After a long commute, a few steps up to the door, fumbling the keys out of the bag, and a quick glance at the setting sun, the feeling hits. Awe. The sky is ablaze with color. Filled with wonder and astonishment, the stress and anxiety melt away in that warming moment. 

That moment of awe changed the course. This experience called awe can be a powerful force, and it just might be the key to relieving stress and anxiety. But what else can it do, why does it affect us this way, and how can we get more of it?

What is Awe?

Awe is a somewhat complicated emotion. Berkeley University’s Greater Good Science Center defines awe as  “the feeling we get in the presence of something vast that challenges our understanding of the world.” It’s a feeling that arises when we come across something in our world that may be incredible, expansive, or even unexpected or an experience that isn’t ordinary to us or our culture. It’s an emotional response to stimuli that may be understood as larger than ourselves and requires an overhaul of one’s mentality in order to process the experience. Awe can also be characterized by feelings of wonder or admiration. 

There are two key components of awe. Perceptual vastness is the witnessing stage. In this aspect of awe, the stimulus may be physical such as viewing a towering mountain range for the first time, or it could be conceptual like contemplating an ever-expanding universe. The other component of awe is a need for accommodation. This is when awe pushes us to adjust our mental wiring in order to grasp and catalog the extraordinary experience. Working together, these components of awe leave us with a powerful emotional experience, shifting our perspectives and altering our senses of self.

The Effects of Awe

Many experts are beginning to theorize that awe may have played a crucial role in human evolution, providing survival benefits for early humans. As the feeling of awe can bring about curiosity, creativity, and exploration leading to greater learning and mastery of the world, awe may have been a key factor in our development as a species.

Awe can also have a biological impact on the brain and body. It’s been shown that experiencing awe may reduce inflammation and decrease stress hormones like cortisol. It also activates our parasympathetic nervous system, helping us relax and overcome feelings of stress. Awe has also been linked to the production of oxytocin, the hormone attributed to social bonding, trust, and empathy. 

Awe can also affect us on a social level. When we’re consumed by awe, we’re more likely to feel connected to others around us and the world we live within. That sense of community can lead to more cohesive and cooperative relationships and a greater sense of altruism. Awe may also inspire pro-social actions and behavior. Studies have discovered that people who experience awe are more inclined to be generous and conduct more actions that benefit the larger community. 

As awe has the power to expand our mental horizons, the cognitive effects of awe include encouraging us to think more critically and challenge ourselves creatively by opening our minds to new possibilities and perspectives. Awe has also been noted for its ability to improve our focus and memory as these moments bring an emotional intensity that cements memories more firmly in our minds. 

Awe also can have a significant impact on our mental health. Awe leads to a diminished sense of self that leaves us feeling humble and respectful to something greater than ourselves. This brings about a reduced focus on personal problems and their feelings of stress and anxiety and pushes us to reexamine and recognize the insignificance of our individual issues. The effects of awe even foster a greater sense of purpose and meaning in our lives, increasing overall life satisfaction.

Common Stimuli of Awe

Awe can be triggered by a wide variety of stimuli depending on one’s culture and background, but scientists generally break down awe stimuli as the “8 wonders of awe”. Nature is often a common stimulus of awe as the beauty of natural landscapes like snow-capped mountains, vast oceans, and thick forests are overwhelming and beautiful to the senses. Art and music can also move us deeply and bring about a feeling of awe. Scientific discovery is also a noted experience that can trigger awe such as learning of the complexities of the universe or the intricacies of the human body. Others are overwhelmed with awe as the result of a spiritual or religious experience or the witnessing of extraordinary acts of bravery or leadership, or even our own or another’s personal achievement. Birth and death are also considered profound experiences that leave one in awe, as well as deep feelings of love and connection with others.

Awe in Everyday Life

Not everyone can just drive to the Grand Canyon at the end of the day for a shot of awe. To experience the feeling of awe more often in your life, there’s plenty you can do or try. Taking a simple nature walk in your local park can be awe-inspiring as you take in the simplicity yet enormity of the natural world. You could also visit museums or shows, immersing yourself in creative art. Or try staying curious and continue to learn from books, documentaries, or classes to discover more about the world. Experiencing awe could also be as simple as practicing mindfulness through meditation or exercise allowing you to be more present and open to awe-inspiring moments happening around us every day. Lastly, take time to connect with others and build deep, meaningful relationships with family, friends, and the greater community.

Final Thoughts

While we can’t change everything and our days continue to pass in waves of conflict and chaos, we can strive toward seeking out moments of awe in our lives as an antidote to the stress and anxiety of the daily grind. By embracing the wonders around us, whether it be in nature, with art or science, or in our personal lives, we can instill a sense of awe that betters our lives and boosts our physical and mental well-being. 

All it takes is a moment. Give yourself one moment to forget about those unread emails or the stack of laundry, disrupt the ordinary, and open your eyes to the extraordinary world around you. Seek out those awe-inspiring moments and remind yourself of the beauty and power of life.