The power of Awe: How looking at a nice view can make you happier, kinder, more generous and give your life perspective
(approx 4 minute read)
Awe has been around for years but it broke into mainstream media during Covid-19 when we faced months locked up at home. Men’s Mental Fitness details the science behind it, the benefits of Awe and why you should be practising Awe.
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Have you ever gazed up at the stars, or looked at a nice view and felt calmer, more peaceful, or more present? If you have, that’s because you were experiencing a phenomenon called Awe.
What is Awe?
According to Greater Good Magazine, Awe ‘is the feeling we get in the presence of something vast that challenges our understanding of the world, like looking up at millions of stars in the night sky or marvelling at the birth of a child’.
Why you should practise Awe
While the scientific research on awe is still embryonic, according to Greater Good, ‘Awe is more than a momentary good feeling: experiences of Awe may have long-term effects on our minds, bodies, and social connections’.
Scientific research on Awe
Men’s Mental Fitness has listed some of the reasons science says you should practise Awe.
It makes you feel good: You might feel wonder, amazement, joy or gratitude - emotions all linked with improved mental fitness.
It makes us happier: Apparently people have higher well-being on days they practice Awe compared to days they don’t.
It makes us more generous: We’re more likely to help others, even if it’s at a cost to us.
It gives us perspective: Looking at something vast can make you feel small which aids the sense of perspective e.g. why am I worrying about that small thing that happened at work the other day.
It makes us physically and mentally fitter: It can reduce stress, depression and cardiovascular disease.
It enables you to be present: Immersing yourself in that moment brings a sense of living in the moment.
It makes us smarter: Apparently we become more critical thinkers and Awe sharpens our brains.
How to experience Awe
In Keltner’s, Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, he says we must look for “eight wonders of life.” The most common are nature, music, visual design, and moral beauty (when we witness people helping other people).
Finding Awe in everyday experiences - the A.W.E Method.
It’s all very well getting a taste of Awe from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Grand Canyon, but what if we could experience Awe numerous times a day?
The Power of Awe: Overcome Burnout and Anxiety, Ease Chronic Pain, Find Clarity and Purpose—in Less Than 1 Minute Per Day, has a science-backed technique you can try.
The A.W.E Method, says the Greater Good Magazine, is ‘simple Microdosing Mindfulness practice for discovering Awe in ordinary experiences’.
A, stands for attention: pause, fully take in and appreciate what you are sensing with your sight, sound, touch, smell and imagination - you could be showering, eating, driving, gardening, writing, playing with your kids or cooking. By doing this you’re choosing to bring yourself to the present, reports the Greater Good Magazine.
W, stands for wait: pause long enough for one breath.
E, stands for exhale and expands: When you exhale, you relax, and when you expand, you amplify whatever sensations you are experiencing.
Digital tools to help you find Awe
Here’s a couple of websites you could try that have been created to help you experience Awe (seems a bit odd given we’re meant to be looking at a nice view).
Google partnered with Berkeley University to create the Art Emotions Map. You can try it here. It depicts pictures of renowned art that bring about feelings of Awe (hopefully).
Another tool to try is by Mapping Emotion, a site created by a different former Berkeley researcher, Alan Cowen. You can watch GIFs proven to elicit the feelings of Awe.
A background to Awe
If you want to delve deeper into the subject of Awe, watch Dacher Keltner’s video on “Why Awe Is Such an Important Emotion. Dacher seems to be the godfather of recent Awe science.