"Awe" isn't a word we think about much on a daily basis, unless we're using it in the word "awesome." But experiencing awe—or that feeling of wonder and pure amazement—on a regular basis is not only enjoyable, it can actually improve our sense of happiness and wellbeing.
But how can you actually bring awe into your life on a regular basis? Here are 50 ways to make it happen.
50 Ways to Inspire Awe
1. Look at photos of space
2. Watch the sun rise
3. Pay attention to your breath, and marvel at what an automatic process breathing is
4. Take in the first flowers of spring
5. Watch a movie with an epic, awe-inspiring story
6. Read a great work of literature
7. Ask a grandparent or other older person to tell you the story of heir life
8. Walk outside and feel the sun on your face
9. Take a sip of hot coffee, and let the sensation and taste flood your entire body
10. Go somewhere where you can see a shooting star
11. Watch a child take their first steps
12. Visit a national park
13. Look at a piece of art
14. Spend time with someone who makes you laugh—really laugh
15. Take a walk through your neighborhood, and really pay attention to all that's going on around you
16. Watch the leaves change in the fall
17. Water a plant, and watch its leaves perk up
18. Take a trip to somewhere you've never been before
19. Cook yourself a delicious, flavorful meal
20. Listen to people speak in a different language
21. Climb into a bed made up with fresh, clean sheets
22. Go to a new restaurant in your neighborhood
23. Grow and nurture flowers from seed
24. Learn something new
25. Complete a puzzle
26. Listen to one of your favorite albums or pieces of music
27. Read a biography of an inspirational figure
28. Look—really look—at a building that was built hundreds fo years ago
29. Go swimming in a lake
30. Look at pictures of yourself when you were a kid
31. Go for a hike
32. Take a trip somewhere with an impressive history
33. See a ballet performance
34. Visit a big city
35. Meditate, and marvel at the experience of clearing your mind
36. Watch videos of people engaging in a craft they really enjoy
37. Write a letter to your younger self
38. Visit a zoo or nature center, and take in the beauty of the animals are ou
39. Watch a motivational TED Talk
40. Go to the beach, close your eyes, and listen to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore
41. Get a full night of sleep, and marvel at how great you feel in the morning
42. Go for a bike ride
43. Take a bite of a freshly-baked cookie
44. Listen to a piece of classical music
45. Look at photos of some of the most beautiful places on earth
46. Feel a soft piece of fabric
47. Go to a farmers market and take in all the seasonal fruits and vegetables
48. Watch the snow fall
49. Look at photos of early humans
50. Read old journal entries—the older, the better
Why Awe Is So Important for Our Wellbeing
Awe can help us change how we see the world. When we're stuck in the mundanity of everyday life, it can be hard to experience the "little earthquakes" that can shake up our lives and make us view life itself differently. Experiencing awe helps remind us of what really matters in life, can inspire us to take on a new goal or experience, and can also help make our worries feel small—in a good way.
Additionally, research has found that experiencing awe can help improve feelings of wellbeing, and one study found that people who experience daily awe have lower levels of daily stress and inflammation in their bodies. Convinced yet? We thought so. Now get out there and chase that awe!
Want more great (and potentially awe-inspiring!) blog posts? Give these ones a read:
- Here's How to Do What Makes You Happy
- How to Journal for Personal Growth
- 11 Winter Goals to Help You Make the Most Of the Season