A study found that students who spent just one to two minutes looking up at tall eucalyptus trees were subsequently more likely to help a stranger pick up dropped pens. This shows that even fleeting moments of awe can trigger immediate prosocial behavior.
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Dr. William Broad's research found that when people sent "good vibes" to others in a separate room, the receivers showed immediate, measurable physiological changes, such as improved skin resistance and calmer brainwaves. This suggests a direct biological link through intention, even at a distance.
A psychologist combated his own severe anxiety by engaging in activities like team basketball and loud rock concerts. These experiences allowed him to "get outside of himself" and lose his narrow preoccupations, demonstrating that awe-inducing activities can be a powerful therapeutic escape from anxiety's self-focus.
Hope is not just a personal suspension of disbelief. It is a communal resource built from small, everyday interactions—like giving someone your full attention or witnessing kindness between strangers. These moments are 'hope in action' and create the foundation for pursuing larger, more challenging collective goals.
The ancient practice of Metta (loving-kindness meditation), which involves extending goodwill to others, can physically change the brain. Neuroimaging studies show regular practice increases the volume of brain structures associated with empathy, demonstrating a concrete link between contemplative practice and neurological development.
A University of Michigan study found that walks in nature improved cognitive function even during a cold January day. This suggests the restorative effects are not solely dependent on positive emotions or enjoyment, but are a more fundamental cognitive process, provided basic comfort and safety needs are met.
Awe is not just appreciating beauty; it's a cognitive process defined by encountering vast mysteries that require a "need for accommodation." This means you must rearrange your existing knowledge structures and mental models to make sense of the new, incomprehensible experience.
A study on older adults found that taking a weekly "awe walk" became more effective with repetition, countering the typical hedonic treadmill effect. Participants felt increasing awe over eight weeks and their sense of self became smaller, as seen in the photos they took.
Contrary to popular belief, awe is not always a positive emotion. It can be deeply uncomfortable because it introduces profound uncertainty and destabilizes our understanding of the world. Experiences like a powerful storm can feel both awe-inspiring and threatening simultaneously.
Across 26 countries, the most common source of awe was not grand landscapes but the "moral beauty" of ordinary people—witnessing the kindness, courage, and virtue of neighbors, strangers, and family members. This suggests human goodness is a profound and universal inspiration.
Experiencing awe quiets our ego-focused identity. In experiments, people standing near a T-Rex skeleton later defined themselves with broad, collective terms like "a human" or "a mammal," rather than individualistic traits like "ambitious," demonstrating a shift away from the self.