We know that stress and anxiety are bad for overall health. Negative moods are linked to heart disease, cancer and premature death from other problems.
Conversely, upbeat moods like joy and contentment are good for you and can minimize the effects of worry.
A recent study has isolated one emotion as a potent medicine: awe. The study featured in the journal Emotion defines awe as “the emotion of self-transcendence, a feeling of admiration and elevation in the face of something greater than the self.”
Here’s how they measured the impact of awe.
Because inflammation is tied to poor health throughout the body, the study focused on the inflammation molecule IL-6. Ninety four stressed out college freshman were surveyed and then saliva samples were taken to measure IL-6 molecule levels.
The stressed out college students were then surveyed on what makes them happy and to what extent they felt seven specific emotions: awe, amusement, compassion, contentment, joy, love and pride. Happiness and positivity were most closely associated with awe, as proven out by lower levels of IL-6.
Turns out that awe expands our notion of available time which makes it feel like time slows down. Awe also reduces self-centeredness and narcissistic thinking which can trap us in our negative thoughts.
So how can you get more awe in your life? Anything that evokes wonderment will do: nature walks, music, religion, art.
More specifically, here are four core awe-inspiring exercises:
- Write about a personal experience of awe
- Take an awe walk
- Watch an awe-inducing video
- Read an awe-inspiring story
Awe can make you happier and more productive. And awe can come from many places, you just have to look for it, find it, and experience it.
Sign up for The Sunday Snippet!
Good ideas to help you prosper delivered fresh each Sunday morning.