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Gazing at a sunset. Seeing a close friend reach a goal she’s sought for years. Walking your daughter down the aisle at her wedding. These experiences have something in common: They inspire a sense of awe. Feelings of warmth and positivity flood your mind in a way that doesn’t happen when doing laundry.
Experiencing awe carries significant benefits to physical and mental health, according to research. Doctors still don’t fully understand the underlying mechanisms, but studies show positive effects — reduced inflammation, lower stress, and improved heart rate and diastolic blood pressure — in people who report regularly feeling wonder or awe.
Getting out in nature is the most common way for people to feel that sense of awe. But it’s not the only way. Relationships with other people can produce feelings of awe. Experiencing art, music or other forms of personal expression can produce it, too.
Mayo Clinic experts say that you should make a point of having awe-inspiring experiences, especially in these times of distractions, worries and distress.
Some ways to focus a part of each day on inspiring awe include:
- Keeping a portfolio — either virtually or on paper — of awe-inspiring quotes and pictures
- Practicing meditation or similar mind-centering activities
- Bringing a sense of wonder to small, daily things that often get overlooked, such as a bumblebee exploring a flower, a grandchild’s delight or an elegantly crafted piece of furniture
Connect with others looking for ways to enhance their health in the Healthy Living group.
Looking for more inspiration? Health tips can be delivered to your mailbox monthly with a Mayo Clinic Health Letter subscription.
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@mariemayohecs What a great article for Aging & Health. As we age, the activities that brought as "awe and wonder" in our youthful days, can be difficult to achieve because of physical and/or financial limitations. This article provides new ways to experience that awe and wonder!
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3 ReactionsSince I consult Mayo Clinic (too many years! ) I have been very thankful. Mayo Clinic site offers good ideas, info and response about health benefits. My contact is through the web site. Many times doctors indicate you remedys, a lot a remedys. But they forget giving answers about causes and home treatment if it’s possible. So I found in every case many information and responses. That’s is not the cure but it’s very very important and very soothing. As you say Nature is for me almost the first cause of sense of awe. Very dynamizer and gratifying feeling. So, by now, I want to say that is a great article.
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4 ReactionsThey very carefully and pc, left out religious awe. Yet, I can (and do) turn on my computer, or a radio station that's playing my favorite worship music, and let the awe and worship begin. With the addition of earbuds to our options for daily living, I can enter into awe and gratitude while doing the dishes, or making beds, cleaning the bathroom! Since I live in a major US city, and use public transportation, I can do it outside my home too. Watching a child with mom or dad, on a bus, not yet knowing that everyone is not her friend, is a joy too. As is the tiny bird pecking at crumbs on the sidewalk, that can't figure out to stay or not because I'm coming down that path. Twenty years ago, God taught me this lesson. My then 4 yr old and I had to run from someone. We ran into snow, because I did it in winter. Me being a pesimistic person by nature, had to keep up the attitude of a child. So, when all was terrible, I learned to remember the good from the day. A person who had helped us fill out a form, I reminded her. Or the fun of that (free) elevator ride. Anything. Over time, I stopped being a pesimistic person. And my child never became one.
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2 ReactionsI agree! God is awesome! He cured me of CNS lymphoma through the God given talent of doctors at Mayo!
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4 ReactionsAmen.
Awe is awesome. I find the source of awe in God. I call it a spiritual awe, not a religious awe because religion is man made. I believe God is the creator of all awesome things ….. life, nature, talents, skills, abilities …..
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3 ReactionsI think conversation of spiritual beliefs, religion and God don't belong here.
Good morning, @rfherald. That’s an interesting statement that you don’t think spiritual beliefs, religion or God belong here, in the conversation about the power of Awe. As you can see by the other comments posted, that for some people, these very conscripts are their reason for awe.
For others it is simply being immersed in nature, holding a small child’s hand, petting a puppy… Mayo Connect is a safe environment for members to share their experiences. As long as everyone remains respectful, non-political and not promoting any specific religion these comments from members about spirituality bringing them awe are welcomed.
Curious, what brings you moments of Awe?
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10 ReactionsDo you not know that Mayo was founded by nuns?
What brings me moments of awe? "...being immersed in nature, holding a small child’s hand, petting a puppy..." and just about any program by Richard Attenborough. Hummingbirds. Mothers caring for their children - any species. How ants and bees work as a team to further their colonies. I could go on. God has nothing to do with it.
Since a volunteer mentor objected to my belief I will respect her stance and remain silent.
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