It’s dusk as I pass the outer reef on the final stretch of my paddle. I should have been off the water and in the safety of the harbour 30 minutes ago, but the wind turned rolling in some serious weather. My apprehension grows as the sun drops below the horizon. Cresting the back of the now 3-foot swell, I spot the harbour mouth in the distance; “Almost there”, I say to myself.
Just as my apprehension dissipates slightly with the sight of Ocean Reef Harbour – something catches my eye, and I feel myself stiffen! “What is that in the water?!”
I see the huge animal break the surface, and fear is quickly replaced with relief as I see the tail. “It’s a whale!”
It’s light enough to see him but dim enough to make it feel like we were two wary allide ships looking for safe harbour inside the reef.
He hangs heavy and formidable in the water, pausing as if waiting for me to catch up.
I gently paddle towards the harbour, careful not to cross his course. He drifts in closer, lining up himself up next to me. His eye stares straight at me, and his majestic bulk breaks the ocean swell as if deliberately creating an artificial safe haven. I feel encompassed in the calm waters of this constructed atoll, slowly being herded to safety.
I paddle on, herded to safety by my hefty escort, my 14-foot paddleboard—now dwarfed by his battleship proportions.
I have never felt so present, just two captains—no need for acknowledgment or reassurance, just content in each other’s company as his body shields me from the ocean storm now churning around us.
He escorts me right up to the harbour mouth, then inspects me calmly, offers a blow of air in farewell, adjusts the ballast and descends below, leaving me to process this amazing encounter. As I paddled into the safety of the harbour, I tried bringing the encounter into perspective. I have no words; I felt immense gratitude for our encounter and true understanding of the word awes-ome.
Why do I tell you this story, well
This reaction to something profound is not unique to me. It is well-documented by several universities and scientists worldwide that being in awe can positively impact your mental and physical health.
Section 1: What the research say
Overview Effect
The most interesting of which is done by the University of Pennsylvania. Their paper describes the “overview effect” as a transformative psychological experience astronauts have when they see Earth from space. It suggests that they undergo a dramatic cognitive shift and an overwhelming feeling of connection with humanity.
They observed a shift in their self-concept and even their value system, which led researchers and astronauts to attribute short- and long-term emotional benefits to these experiences.
Mental and Physical Health
Other studies like the one by Monroy, M., & Keltner, D. have gone so far as to artificially simulate awe while taking saliva samples. Their findings proposed that the emotion of “awe” is a key factor in promoting mental and physical health. It argues that awe engages five processes—shifts in neurophysiology, a diminished focus on the self, increased prosocial behaviour, greater social integration, and a heightened sense of meaning— that collectively benefit well-being.
So it makes sense to actively introduce awe into our everyday lives. With the advent of the internet finding something we haven’t seen before is rare. The research suggests that awe can help with depression, so it makes sense that the lack of awe can promote it. Break the norm and go looking for awe!
Section 2: Benefits
- Improved mental well-being
- Enhanced creativity
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Increased happiness and life satisfaction
- Lower levels of inflammatory cytokines
- Improved immune system
- Enhanced brain function
- Reduction in Cortisol
Section 3: Everyday Sources of Awe
The good news is awe can be found in the most simple of places.
- Nature
- Architecture
- Human Achievement
- Art
- Music
- Human Connection
Section 4: Practical Tips to Experience Awe
It’s tough to find awe these days, so you are likely going to have to push yourself outside your usual comfort zone. To find awe, you need to find something awe-some. That word doesn’t mean what it used to!
Get off the beaten track and find an adventure in your back yard or if possible go further, much further! To find awe you need to be impressed, inspired and ultimately drive change. So look for activities, discoveries or people that will make a mark that won’t wash off.
Pull the stick out ya butt, drop your guard and act like a 3-year-old that’s impressed by EVERYTHING!
Here are some practical ways you can cultivate awe in their daily routines:
- Nature: If you are anything like me get outside and immerse yourself in nature! Take in the Sunrise and Sunsets, hike mountains and explore the oceans.
- Stories that matter: Skip the Netflix most-watched list and work your thumb a bit hard as you dig for stories, and documentaries with narratives that challenge your beliefs, understanding or norms.
- Architecture and Innovation: If you are in the city and nature is scarce, you’re in luck because
- Art and Music have been shown to offer many of the same benefits.
- Human Achievement: Humans have also been known to be awe-inspiring, with technological marvels and amazing humanitarian acts of kindness.
- Mindfulness exercises to appreciate the ordinary
- Purposeful walks, seeking out opportunities to be inspired.
- Join community groups and mingle with people that inspire you.
- Engaging with awe-inspiring content (books, videos, etc.)
How to bring awe into your life every day.
- Immersion in Nature
- I live for the outdoors and the science confirms my suspicions. Immersion in nature has been proven to positively impact our emotional well-being. of meditation
- Sunset or Sunrise Pause to watch changing hues during a sunset or sunrise. As the sun breaks the horizon, allow yourself to be humbled by it. My wife always holds her breath just as the sun drops to touch the horizon and disappears. Why… I don’t know but it always makes the kids laugh and we all do it now.
- The Art of Being
- Art and music can evoke huge emotions, so sing your heart out and let the colours have an impact even if it all looks like Rorschach tests.
- Stories That Stir the Soul
- Skip Netflix’s most-watched section and scroll a bit further to find stories, narratives or documentaries that challenge your perspective.
- Kindness: The Unsung Hero
- Be someone else’s random act of kindness. Feel awe-some by being the cause of someone else’s awe by extending a helping hand or a listening ear. Doing charity events or helping and listening to those less privileged will be an eye-opening experience.
- Gratitude: The Daily Elixir
- Reflect on your blessings, big or small. We do this every evening at the dinner table. Each person reflects on what in their day they are grateful for. It’s a moment in the day when one person talks and everyone else practices listening until the person is finished. No interruptions. This can often lead to amazing places and bonds a family and even new friends.
- The Awe of Discovery
- “Dive headfirst into a new hobby or subject matter. As you uncover new insights the thrill of discovery will fill you with awe. Remember to channel your inner 3 year old!
- Conversations That Matter
- “Engage in meaningful dialogue about your subjects that you are passionate about with people that challenge you. Avoid speaking about other people and talk instead about events and awe-inspiring experiences.
Final Thought
Whatever you choose to do, just remember profound change doesn’t come from doing the mundane. Step outside your comfort zone. Challenge yourself, and your ideas and make sure your pursuit leaves a mark that drives you to change.
References
Monroy, M., & Keltner, D. (2023). Awe as a Pathway to Mental and Physical Health. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 18(2), 309-320. https://doi.org/10.1177/17456916221094856
Yaden, D. B., Iwry, J., Slack, K. J., Eichstaedt, J. C., Zhao, Y., Vaillant, G. E., & Newberg, A. B. (2016). The overview effect: Awe and self-transcendent experience in space flight. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, 3(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1037/cns0000086
0 Comments