Uncovering Five Strategies to Amplify Life's Sense of Wonder

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it's easy to overlook the wonders that surround us. But psychologists are urging us to slow down and open ourselves up to the awe-inspiring moments that can be found in the most unexpected places.

According to psychologist Jonah Paquette, awe experiences have two main components: encountering "vastness" and experiencing transcendence, or opening ourselves up to such vastness, even if it doesn't make sense to us. This vastness could be an expansive view, such as a mountain range, but it can also be a concept that's hard to get our heads around, like the size of the universe.

Paquette suggests that by being more attentive to commonplace experiences, we can open ourselves up to more everyday awe. Similarly, Dr Steve Taylor advises that being attentive to new experiences can help increase everyday awe. Going to new places, trying new things, and meeting new people can slow down our perception of time and increase the likelihood of experiencing awe.

The natural world is a prime source of awe, not just because it is physically vast, but because it is full of tiny miracles that are hard to wrap our heads around. By going on a walk and considering the natural miracles around you, you can help bring more awe into your life.

But it's not just the natural world that can inspire awe. According to a recent study led by George Mason University, people are more likely to think they have been looking at small, cluttered spaces for a shorter period than they have been, whereas the opposite is true for larger scenes. So, even a simple view can have a profound impact on our perception of time and our ability to experience awe.

Paquette recommends regularly stepping away from screens to experience awe in the analogue world. By doing so, we can reconnect with the world around us and find wonder in the ordinary.

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Experiencing awe is linked with a range of positive health benefits, including improved mood, lower stress, and a greater propensity towards kindness. So, by embracing everyday awe, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to a more positive and compassionate world.