Experiencing Awe

There are certain moments when the world feels bigger than our thoughts.

A recent walk up The Lawley in the Shropshire Hills created one of those moments; the kind where you pause, look out across the landscape, and feel your perspective quietly shift. In my latest video, which you can watch here, I explore that feeling more deeply and look at what psychology tells us about awe.

Awe is the emotion we experience when we encounter something vast or beyond our usual frame of reference. It might be a dramatic natural scene, powerful music, extraordinary human kindness, or a piece of art that stops us mid-thought. What these moments share is a sense of scale that stretches our perception.

What makes awe particularly interesting is that it is not just poetic -it is measurable.

Research in positive psychology suggests that experiences of awe can reduce stress and quiet rumination. When we encounter something expansive, attention shifts away from narrow, self-focused thinking. Our worries don’t necessarily disappear, but they often feel less dominant.

Studies have also linked awe to increased feelings of connection: to others, to nature, and to a wider sense of meaning. Participants in various studies report greater generosity and stronger social connection after experiencing awe. Some research has even found associations between regular experiences of awe and lower levels of certain inflammatory markers in the body.

There has also been growing interest in “awe walks”: intentional walks where people actively seek out moments of vastness and beauty. In one study, participants who incorporated awe-focused walks into their routine reported higher levels of joy and lower levels of distress compared to those who walked without that intentional focus.

Perhaps most encouraging of all is that awe does not require dramatic circumstances. While standing on a beautiful hill with an amazing view can evoke it, research suggests that even viewing awe-inspiring photographs can increase positive emotion and enhance wellbeing. The essential ingredient is attention.

In a culture that often narrows our focus to tasks, deadlines and comparison, awe gently widens it again. It reminds us that we are part of something larger. It introduces perspective without minimising our experience.

Actively seeking moments of awe , whether in nature, art, music or shared human experience, may be one of the simplest ways to support emotional wellbeing. It is a positive emotion with meaningful benefits, and one many of us could benefit from inviting into our lives more intentionally.