The physical and mental benefits of awe

Awe inspires social connection. A study published in the scientific journal Emotion, showed 2 sets of adults asked to take 15 minute walks. One group was asked to look for things that inspired wonder (the awe-walkers) and the other group was asked to walk for the sake of walking (the control group).

There were noticeable differences in the results. The group that looked for things that inspired wonder (the awe-walkers) spoke about the beautiful things they saw on their walks. The group that walked for the sake of walking, spoke only about the thoughts that consumed them. In addition, the awe-walkers also reported a desire for more social connection even when they were not walking, than the control group.

The researchers concluded that positive feelings from the awe-walkers spilled over into their regular lives.

Awe affects our physical body. Any experience that affects our psyche, also affects our bodies. In another study, a group of young adults were asked to report on all the positive feelings they had throughout each day. Feelings of awe, compassion, love, joy, etc. Then they had their blood tested. It was found that the people who experienced more positive thoughts each day also had lower levels of interleukin-6, a blood protein that is a common marker for inflammation.

If exposing ourselves to awe and wonder, results in more positive feelings, which then leads to lower levels of inflammation...shouldn't we all want to experience more awe in our lives? Below are some tips to cultivating more awe.

Here are some tips from Yoga Journal on how to experience more awe in your life

Take intentional awe walks - Even 15 minutes of ambling with the intention of being curious and open to astonishment can boost your mood.

Listen to music that stirs your soul - Music can have an instant and profound effect on your psyche and your physiology. Notice when a certain hymn, chant, riff moves you. Come back to it often.

Observe nature - Stuck at your desk? Tune into the BBC's Planet Earth series, which explores little known aspects of nature. Researchers often rely on these shows to induce an awe mental state in subjects. Also, check out Jason Silva's Shots of Awe on YouTube.

Mentally relive an event - Recall or replay a speech, concert, words of advice, or an event that gave you goosebumps, changed your perspective, or otherwise affected you. Recreate that feeling by thinking of it or re-experiencing it when you play a recording of it.

Stand on your head (or hang your head off the bed or sofa) - Observing the world from a different perspective--literally turning the world upside down--can lend you a sense of wonder.

Remain open to being awed - Regularly contemplate something--anything--that captivates your attention and blows your mind, whether that means observing birds in your backyard or listening to legendary guitar solos.

YogaJournal.com