by Jen Perry, MS.Ed. MA, LPC
Awe has long been lauded by philosophers and spiritual teachers for its self-transcendent qualities that can reduce negative thinking and self-occupation. Research on awe by psychologists has been increasing exponentially over the last 20 years. A study at Berkeley found the benefits similar to healthy changes in diet and exercise, including a lowered risk of Type 2 Diabetes, clinical depression, heart disease, and arthritis. Research published in the journal Psychological Science found that awe leads to feelings of more available time, reduces impatience, and increases pro-social behaviors and life satisfaction. Psychologists at the University of Pennsylvania interviewed astronauts after viewing Earth from space, and they report "an expanded sense of perspective on their lives, an increased sense of connection to others, and a renewed sense of purpose." For those of us not venturing into space, research suggests that similar effects can be evoked by watching awesome videos.
Awe has long been lauded by philosophers and spiritual teachers for its self-transcendent qualities that can reduce negative thinking and self-occupation. Research on awe by psychologists has been increasing exponentially over the last 20 years. A study at Berkeley found the benefits similar to healthy changes in diet and exercise, including a lowered risk of Type 2 Diabetes, clinical depression, heart disease, and arthritis. Research published in the journal Psychological Science found that awe leads to feelings of more available time, reduces impatience, and increases pro-social behaviors and life satisfaction. Psychologists at the University of Pennsylvania interviewed astronauts after viewing Earth from space, and they report "an expanded sense of perspective on their lives, an increased sense of connection to others, and a renewed sense of purpose." For those of us not venturing into space, research suggests that similar effects can be evoked by watching awesome videos.
I hope that I have inspired you to try cultivating awe as a
process and practice to help you live life to its most awesome-filled
fullest.
Jen
Perry, MSEd, MA, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Mindfulness
Teacher and Peaceful Parenting Coach. Her passion is helping Highly Sensitive
People thrive in life, love, and parenting. She has been in the field for
twenty years and is devoted to studying the human psyche or soul and is often
in awe in her studies of human compassion, strength, resilience, and
consciousness. In addition to seeing clients individually, she offers
mindfulness classes and self-compassion groups via video. Learn more about Jen
and her practice at www.HeartfulnessConsulting.com [insert
link to: https://heartfulnessconsulting.com]
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