From big moments such as watching a breathtaking landscape to simple ones like hearing a moving piece of music, moments of awe can support mental wellbeing.
Psychologist Evans Kabagi of the CAfRIC Centre describes awe as the feeling people experience when they encounter something so vast physically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, or socially that it challenges their usual way of understanding the world.
Awe is different from wonder and gratitude, he says. While wonder involves curiosity, and gratitude is about appreciation, awe is an emotional response that leaves people feeling moved, inspired, or transformed. It is about encountering something larger than ourselves, such as the birth of a child, an extraordinary act of courage, or a powerful piece of music.
Evans explains that research shows that awe can be evoked by a surprisingly wide range of experiences, but they fall into a few common categories.
“Nature is one of the most powerful sources of awe. This can be standing at the rim on Menengai Crater, watching the sunrise, taking an early morning walk, or gazing at a star-filled sky,” he says.
