76 Easy Ways to Experience More Awe in Life
When was the last time you felt scared? You know that magical feeling where you were stunned, speechless, or like something took your breath away.
I remember seeing The Grand Canyon for the first time and being blown away. I didn’t believe it was true.
But little did I know that studies have shown that feeling fear can actually increase well-being and happiness.
What Is The Meaning Of Awe?
Awe is that overwhelming sense of excitement and wonder you feel when you experience something strange, profound, or amazing.
What Are The Benefits Of Awe?
The benefits of awe are:
- Feeling more positive about your life
- More critical thinking
- Reduced stress and increased well-being
- Improved emotional, mental and physical health
76 Ways to Experience More Awe
- Look up at the night sky
- journey
- Watch the sunset
- Look at the snowfall
- Look at the beautiful photography
- A mountain walk
- Watch videos of people making art
- Go for a swim in the pool
- And cook a delicious meal for your loved one or friend
- Close your eyes and listen to your favorite album
- Listen to hardcore classical music
- Go to a big city
- Visit a zoo or zoo and see the animals
- Go on a fun bike ride
- Watch Broadway musicals
- Ask to read the old journal entries of a loved one (example: grandmother)
- Try climbing to a higher vantage point than normal
- Take a trip to somewhere with a rich history
- Admire pieces of art
- Get a restful full night’s sleep
- Watch a cult classic movie
- Feel a soft blanket
- Go to a farmers market and purchase locally grown and harvested goods
- Get out of your comfort zone
- Write a letter to your inner child
- Read a classic book
- Spend time with someone who makes you belly laugh
- Travel to somewhere you have never been before
- Complete a challenging puzzle
- Read a biography of someone who inspires you
- Eat a cookie fresh out of the oven
- Go swimming in the ocean
- Water a plant and watch it change
- Look at old photos
- Ask an elder for a story from their life
- Go to the beach, close your eyes, and listen to the sound of waves crashing
- Spend time in nature
- Listen to your favorite music
- Learn something new
- Visit a tiny town
- Let sand slip between your fingers and toes
- Look at pictures of yourself as a child
- See a dance performance
- Close your eyes and appreciate the sun on your face
- Visit a national park
- Admire the leaves changing in the fall
- Read your own old journal entries
- Spending time with children
- Grow something from a seed
- People watch in your neighborhood
- Watch a motivational TED Talk
- Go looking for Christmas lights in the winter
- Appreciate a building that was built a really long time ago
- Go snorkeling in the ocean
- Look at photos of space
- Think about how miraculous your body really is
- Appreciate how good it feels to take a first sip of water when you are really thirsty
- Look for shooting stars
- Admire the mountains
- Try a type of food you have always wanted to try
- Go to a Christmas market when it is all dressed up for the holidays
- Watch the rain fall
- Climb into a bed with fresh sheets
- Write a letter to your future self
- Start looking for all the colorful flowers
- Watch videos of people doing something that scares you
- Watch a child learning to walk or speak for the first time
- Watch videos of yourself as a child
- Find the oldest tree you can
- Take a sip of hot chocolate or coffee when you are cold
- Go somewhere that you can see the northern lights
- Go to a town where the local language isn’t your own and listen to the people talking around you
- Be a part of a large crowd at a concert
- Practice meditation
- Watch videos that inspire you
- Watch the sunrise
Final Thoughts
That feeling of awe can help us to become more mindful of what is happening around us. It can be very easy to get caught up in the tasks of our everyday lives and it is a great practice to look for the things that feel magical about life.
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