Awe

I recently finished a new book "AWE The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life" by Dr. Dacher Keltner. This week I wanted to share some of the insight that I drew from this great read! 

Maybe you've felt it walking through the forest. Maybe it happens when you think about the vastness of space or glancing up the the night sky. Or maybe you feel it when you look into your children's eyes. The emotion of awe. And psychologists say it has the potential to play an important role in improving your health and happiness! 

One important distinction between awe and other emotions is that awe makes us feel small. In todays society, we spend a lot of time thinking about what's going on in our world and what's affecting us directly. "Awe changes that, making us see ourselves as a small piece of something larger" and this - this is where the magic lies! Dr. Keltner describes it as " awe is the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your understanding of the world." In his book, Dr. Keltner explains that awe is critical to our well-being,- just like joy, contentment and love. His research suggests that the feeling of awe can help your immune system, reduce inflammation, helps you think more clearly and creatively, reduces stress, calms down the nervous system and triggers the release of oxytocin, the "love" hormone that promotes trust and bonding. Like many of you - instantly I had to ask why? What is it biologically? Dr. Keltner explains that new research shows that our bodies respond differently when we are experiencing awe than when we are feeling joy, contentment or fear. "Awe activates the vagal nerves, clusters of neurons in the spinal cord that regulate various bodily function, slows our heart rate, relieves digestion and deepens breathing.  Amazingly, studies show that just 5 minutes of awe can give you these sweet benefits! 

Just like a few weeks ago when we talked about establishing a gratitude practice, the ability to experience awe, see awe, and find awe is something we can get better at, once we start acknowledging it!  While many of us associate awe with dramatic, life-changing events, the truth is that awe can be part of everyday life! When I think of awe, the first thing that comes to mind is nature, but there is so much more to it!  In this great read Dr. Keltner establishes 8 pathways to include (1) The morale beauty of people (there kindness and courage) (2) Nature (3) Collective Movement (4) Music (5) Art (6) Spirituality (7) Epiphanies (8) life and death.  The book dives deeper into each of these 8 categories. As I read them I realized the truth in what he was saying. I am in awe everyday of the courage and resilience I see in my patients at the hospital. As a firefighter/EMT for so many years I have witnessed life and death. I have traveled to amazing places like Iceland filled with breathtaking waterfalls, volcanoes, I have swam in the ocean and climbed high mountains. But I have also looked in to my grandbabies eyes and saw hope, and excitement. I have watched the rain drops fall off the leaves of the tree, and listened in awe as my sister in law sang. I guess what it comes down to is what makes you tear up? Get the goosebumps and feel awe and wonder? Humans are remarkable varying! It's a fundamental truth about who we are. For some people, its busy cities and the stream of pedestrians, for others its sitting by the trees by themselves in the quiet. And for some people its classical music for others its wild art, we are all varying! That's the mystery of Awe! We find it in such unique ways but also universal ways. 

I find it incredible how our thoughts, feelings, and attitudes can impact our physical bodies. I really think its about connection, reflection and the feeling that we are part of something bigger than ourselves! Maybe if we start being more conscious about acknowledging feeling such as awe, and gratitude we can not only heal our bodies but also our spirits in the process! 

There is everyday awe and wonder.... we just have to stop and recognize it! 

Much love,

Katie

RN, CPT, Wellness Coach 

Reference: 

Keltner, D. (2023). Awe: The new science of everyday wonder and how it can transform your life. Penguin Press.