4 Important Ways That Awe is Good For You

Introduction

From starry skies to symphonies and sweeping mountain views, awe is more than just a moment of amazement—it’s a powerful brain-state that can literally change how you think, feel, and connect with the world.

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What Is Awe, Exactly?

Psychologists define awe as an emotional response to something vast that challenges our normal way of understanding the world (Keltner & Haidt, 2003). It’s that shiver-down-your-spine moment when you see the Grand Canyon or hear a mind-blowing piece of music. It’s not just about beauty—it’s about expansion. It forces your brain to stretch beyond its usual boundaries.

What Awe Does to Your Brain

When you’re in a state of awe, your default mode network—the brain region associated with self-referential thoughts—quiets down (van Elk et al., 2019). This leads to a feeling of “small self,” where you momentarily forget your own ego and become part of something bigger.

In short: awe literally changes your sense of self—and shrinks your ego.

At the same time, awe activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps your body relax. Your heart rate slows, your breathing deepens, and cortisol (the stress hormone) dips (Stellar et al., 2015).

Awe Is Good for You

Some of the ways that it is good for you are-

1. It boosts your mood- Awe has been shown to increase positive emotions like joy, gratitude, and love (Shiota et al., 2007). Even brief experiences—like watching a nature video—can improve your mood and lower stress levels.
2. It enhances humility and reduces narcissism- When you’re feeling awe, you’re more likely to help others, feel connected to humanity, and recognize your place in a larger system (Piff et al., 2015). One study found that people who watched awe-inducing videos were more generous in sharing money than those who watched neutral ones.
3. It increases creativity- By challenging your assumptions and stretching your imagination, awe can enhance divergent thinking and problem-solving.
4. It promotes mindfulness and presence- Awe often brings people fully into the moment, making it a natural gateway to mindfulness practices (Yaden et al., 2017).

Everyday Sources of Awe

You don’t have to summit Mount Everest to feel awe. Here are some accessible ways to inject more awe into your life:

• Nature: Forests, oceans, thunderstorms, sunrises. Even a well-tended garden can spark wonder.
• Music: Orchestras, opera, or even just a moving ballad can create chills and a sense of expansion.
• Science and Space: Stargazing or reading about black holes and distant galaxies can trigger cosmic awe.
• Art and Architecture: Visiting cathedrals, looking at master paintings, or watching skilled performances.
• Ideas: Learning something so big and beautiful that it challenges your mental limits.

Awe as a Social Glue

Awe doesn’t just make us feel better—it brings us together. Research shows it makes people more cooperative, empathetic, and likely to help others (Piff et al., 2015). In a divided world, awe might be the psychological glue we didn’t know we needed.

Have you ever noticed how people take selfies in front of waterfalls or cathedrals? That’s awe in action—and it’s also a social signal: “Look what we’re a part of.”

Can Awe Be Prescribed?

Psychologists and wellness experts are exploring “awe interventions”—simple, repeatable experiences designed to help people improve their mental health through exposure to awe-inspiring content (Guan et al., 2019).

These might include:

• Awe walks: Purposeful walks where you seek out novel sights and sounds.
• Awe journaling: Reflecting daily on moments that filled you with wonder.
• Awe playlists: Curated videos or music pieces that induce awe (safely and screen-consciously).

Tiny Human, Vast Universe

In a world dominated by stress, deadlines, and doomscrolling, awe is the gentle slap in the face that reminds us how big, strange, and beautiful life can be.

So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, step outside. Look up. Listen deeply. The universe is waiting to blow your mind—and your brain will thank you for it.

References

Guan, F., et al. (2019). Effects of Awe on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms: The Role of Positive Emotions. Journal of Affective Disorders, 256, 604–610.

Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 297–314.

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.

Shiota, M. N., Keltner, D., & Mossman, A. (2007). The nature of awe: Elicitors, appraisals, and effects on self-concept. Cognition and Emotion, 21(5), 944–963.

Stellar, J. E., et al. (2015). Positive Affect and Markers of Inflammation: Discrete Positive Emotions Predict Lower Levels of Inflammatory Cytokines. Emotion, 15(2), 129–133.

van Elk, M., et al. (2019). Neural Correlates of the Awe Experience: Reduced Default Mode Network Activity During a Lab-Induced Awe Paradigm. Human Brain Mapping, 40(9), 2872–2880.

Yaden, D. B., et al. (2017). The overview effect: Awe and self-transcendent experience in space flight. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, 4(1), 1–11.