In his book Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, Dacher Keltner delves into the profound impact of awe and its potential to shift our busy, stressed out lives. Whether you’re juggling professional responsibilities, managing a family, balancing multiple commitments, or all of the above; Awe offers a powerful way to reconnect with what truly matters.
The Benefits of Experiencing Awe
Awe can form an essential part of our wellbeing tool kit. Research highlighted in Keltner’s book shows that awe has numerous mental, emotional, and physical benefits. Awe reduces stress and anxiety by shifting our focus away from daily pressures and toward a broader, more expansive view of life. When we feel awe, we immediately shift our perspective, helping to dissolve feelings of anxiety.
Additionally, awe fosters creativity and improves problem-solving. New experiences open us to new perspectives and innovative solutions—something particularly valuable for busy professionals doing a daily grind.
Perhaps most importantly, awe creates a sense of connection. It makes us feel part of something larger than ourselves, encouraging empathy, kindness, and community spirit. This is especially beneficial for parents as it can strengthen relationships and foster a greater sense of unity, empathy and forgiveness.
Common Ways We Experience Awe
Awe is a universal emotion that can be triggered by many different experiences. One of the most common sources of awe is nature. Whether it’s standing in the shadow of a mountain, watching the waves crash on the shore, or gazing up at a starry night, nature’s vastness often reminds us of how small we are in the grand scheme of things—and how connected we are to the world around us.
Music and art are also powerful sources of awe. A symphony, a striking painting, or even a compelling story can stir deep feelings of wonder and admiration. The beauty and creativity of human expression can remind us of what we are capable of and evoke a sense of shared humanity.
Moral beauty can evoke awe too. Witnessing a selfless act or hearing about someone overcoming immense adversity taps into our natural admiration for the human spirit. In Awe, Keltner shares how stories of resilience and compassion can inspire us, evoking awe and a renewed sense of purpose.
For parents, children can be a daily source of awe. Watching them grow, learn, and discover the world for the first time often allows us to rediscover the beauty and novelty in things we may take for granted.
Bringing Awe into Your Everyday Life
For busy professionals, finding time for awe might seem challenging. However, bringing awe into your daily routine doesn’t require grand gestures or lengthy time commitments. Small, intentional shifts can make a big difference.
- Spend Time in Nature: Even a short walk in a park can evoke feelings of awe. Notice the details—the way sunlight filters through the trees, the sound of birds, or the patterns of leaves on the ground. Nature’s beauty and scale can provide much-needed perspective and a mental reset.
- Engage with Art and Music: Attend a local art exhibit, listen to a piece of music that moves you, or watch a thought-provoking film. Creative works often stir emotions and perspectives that leave us feeling inspired and connected.
- Reflect on Moral Awe: Acknowledge the acts of kindness you witness or experience and notice the incredible good that happens through charities in your area. Whether it’s a colleague helping out, or an organisation supporting homeless people, noticing these moral acts spark feelings of admiration and awe for the goodness in the world.
The Impact of Awe in a Busy Life
Incorporating awe into your life can have profound effects on how you perceive the world around you. For professionals balancing work, family, and other commitments, awe can be an anchor—helping to reduce stress, inspire creativity, and foster meaningful connections. As Keltner emphasises, awe reminds us of the larger picture, offering a chance to pause, reflect, and appreciate life in its fullness.
Even in the hustle and bustle of modern life, making space for awe can lead to a more grounded, inspired, and resilient you. So, take a moment, breathe, and see if you can begin to notice the incredible things around you.
Your life may just become …..awesome. (Pun totally intended.)
