Awe = Awesome Mental Health

Welcome to my first Wellness Wednesday post! Each week, I will share an idea associated with positive mental health. I hope you enjoy!

Awe = Awesome Mental Health

Did you know that feelings of awe have been associated with an improvement in mental health, including a decrease in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stess, and ptsd? It has also been shown to improve physical health by decreasing inflammation and increasing oxytocin, a hormone that promotes empathy and generosity and that fosters deep connections with others.

What is awe? Awe is the feeling of being in the presence of something vast or powerful that transcends your current understanding of the world.

Where do we experience awe? Nature has been identified as the most common place where we encounter this feeling, which explains one of the reasons people feel calm or content when staring at the vastness of the ocean, a black night sky full of twinkling stars, or the majesty of immense green forests or towering mountains. On a smaller scale, watching a bird float through a bright, blue sky, glimpsing a double rainbow, or enjoying a quiet moment outside listening to crickets or contemplating the sudden appearance of fireflies can provoke awe.

In honor of this amazing emotion, drop a note or picture in the comments to share something you find awe-inspiring. I have included one from my personal bucket list to start us off: the aurora borealis.

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