Get Awestruck!

Taking a moment to see the amazing things in life is good for you!

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We say “awesome” all the time, but what does it really mean to experience AWE? Most people find it hard to describe because REALLY feeling awestruck, you often can’t put how  you feel into words

Awe happens when you come across something that you can’t wrap your mind around completely. It’s something that’s so beautiful or the feeling super-connected to other people, nature, or to humanity as a whole.

Big Old Beaches. Awesome! 
Photo Credit: Nicole O'Brien

It could be going to an Adele concert, hearing her belt out your favourite songs, and feeling at one with everyone who’s singing along just like you. It could be feeling hot and tired on a bush walk, and then going around a corner and suddenly seeing a mountain beside a beautiful still lake and realising that.you’re so lucky to be in NZ.

Sharing music we love with a bunch of other people? Awesome.
Photo Credit: Nicole O'Brien

Moments of awe makes you realise that you’re a small part of things that are SO much bigger than you.

That can help to put your concerns in perspective – maybe worrying about that assignment you only got an achievement on isn’t SUCH a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

Just seeing animals chilling out together, in the wild or at the zoo can bring on the awe.
Photo Credit: Nicole O'Brien

The best thing about awe is that it makes you feel generous and kind, and it makes you want to make a the world a better place.  

After experiencing awe, people report feeling less like the world owes them something and that they in particular are special (cough*Donald Trump*cough). The truth is everyone is special, because we’re all part of this amazing world.  

Maybe just meeting your FAVOURITE ANIMAL OF ALL TIME and you HAVE MATCHING HAIR!
Photo Credit: Nicole O'Brien

Feeling awe can only take 2 minutes! In one study, people stared at 200 foot trees, while another group of suckers had to stare at a building. The people who looked at trees felt happier, more generous, and less like the world owed them than the people who had to look at a building.

The sky. Just looking up at the sky at the right moment can be all, woah.
Photo Credit: Nicole O'Brien

Awe is the opposing of worrying. When you’re worrying, you obsess about your dark thoughts and how you’re control things. Awe brings you into the here and now, and out of the big horrible washing machine of your thoughts going round and round. YAY for awe!

So how can you get some moments of awe?

• Nature is an easy go-to for getting a boost of awe, it makes you feel connected and a part of the natural world. So go to the beach, go on a hike, go somewhere that makes you feel small (in a good way).
• Small things can also be awes inspiring. The inside of flower. The sun beaming behind clouds. Just take a moment to notice the things around you, and notice how good it makes you feel.  
• Art galleries, museums, religious spaces (you don’t have to be in the religion, the spaces are enough if that’s all you want) and urban settings that feature water can give the same effect.

Part of feeling awe is just looking outside yourself and feeling wonder in the world around you.

So make it your mission to notice something beautiful and feel the AWE today. If you take a shot and post it, tag us @dearem_nz #awe #noworries. Let’s share the awe!