How Embracing Awe Can Transform Our Minds, and is a Missing Piece in Mental Health Care Programs
Mosh pits don’t exactly have a reputation for being the friendliest of places. Sure, there are flying elbows, stepped-on toes, and the occasional injury (if it’s not done right). But when done right, a mosh pit can transform into a space of pure, unfiltered joy, collective support, and a beautiful sense of losing oneself in the moment.
My first mosh pit experience was at a punk show when I was sixteen. What stands out most is the sensation of being lifted by strangers, melting into a tangle of arms and legs, and the playful nudges from those on the edges. It was a strange, beautifully chaotic dance, perfectly in sync with music that, in that moment, felt like the center of the universe. In a word, it was bliss.
Now, we don’t all have to get our kicks pogoing, but we all experience awe in our lives somewhere. The feeling of awe is an intensely personal one, and while it is extraordinary, it does not have to be rare. Awe is a profound sense of connection to something greater than yourself—a moment where your daily worries and nagging thoughts fade into a feeling of wonder and vastness. It often brings a stronger bond with those around you, as awe frequently arises in shared experiences, making life’s meaning feel beautifully clear. Whether through dance, music, nature, family, or worship, awe touches us all in different ways. Its universality is what makes it so extraordinary.
Over the past fifteen years, there’s been a growing shift in medicine toward prioritizing disease prevention alongside traditional treatment strategies. This change emerged as chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes continue to impact far too many lives, despite significant advancements in treatment. Today, we face a similar challenge with a widespread mental health crisis, affecting even the youngest among us. It’s time, I believe, to apply the same preventative focus to mental health that we’ve embraced for physical health.
Many smart people in the world are already thinking of ways to do this – Australia recently banned social media for children younger than 16, in the U.S. and elsewhere people are creating new groups to combat loneliness, and breathing exercises and mindfulness are going mainstream – but awe has not been a major part of this conversation. There are many reasons for this: it is famously intangible and thought of as a once-in-a-while sort of feeling, brought on by breathtaking sights, or new grandchildren. But there are ways we can make awe part of our daily practice, and as a medical community, we can offer strategies to bring this feeling into our communities’ routines as part of a preventative mental health care program.
Every moment holds the potential for a touch of awe. By intentionally seeking beauty in everyday experiences—like the sunlight filtering through leaves on your morning commute or the warmth in a friend’s greeting—you can invite awe into your life. Noticing these small details and reflecting on their stories—the wonder of living in a world with trees that paint light green, or the simple kindness of someone asking how you are—can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Novelty can also spark awe, but it doesn’t require a grand adventure. Sometimes, it’s as simple as taking a different route than usual. On a recent walk, braving the thick, humid air of late summer, I turned down an unfamiliar street. As the orange glow of the evening softened into blues and purples, I was rewarded with the magical sight of fireflies flickering among the overgrown greenery of an open lot.
By intentionally engaging in activities that inspire awe—like visiting a favorite outdoor spot each month or setting aside quality time with loved ones—we create more opportunities for it to enrich our lives. The great thing about awe is it tends to manifest from our most healthy behaviors – getting outside, being with others, and spending time with our communities. It also pushes us to seek those same activities in a kind of virtuous cycle. It brings us closer to each other; it makes us kinder, more prosocial and generous.
What if we treated the search for awe like a daily exercise for the soul? By making space for wonder in our lives, we can build a routine of well-being. There has never been a more important time to begin this practice. We all have the power to choose a life filled with more breathtaking moments.
If you’ve ever witnessed a total eclipse, you understand its power. When the sun disappears, the wind stills, and an eerie twilight surrounds you. Spontaneously, the crowd erupts in cheers and shouts of pure joy. In that shared instant of wonder at something so indescribable, you realize that we are all part of the same human family, united by the things that leave us speechless.
Created by: Seth Husney
