AWE WALK
Image Credit: Upsplash
I have been putting off this blog topic for a few months. A July 2022 article about the benefits of and practice of awe in Yoga Journal captured my attention. (I invite you to read the full article HERE>>.) At that time however, my mind had the thought that life strain would obstruct the practice of awe. What I learned as I finally leaned into the practice is that awe was exactly what I needed. Hindsight is always 20-20.
Per the article, research is discovering that regular doses of awe can help reduce stress, increase life satisfaction, and sense of connectedness, and even enhance our overall physical health. It seems to reason that we could all use a dose of awe these days.
Awe captivates us in a way that the internal mental chatter quiets, like in meditation. These are moments of deep awareness inspired by experiencing something simple or profound. The article referenced a study citing benefits of taking 15-minute weekly walks where the purpose is to look for things that inspired along the way. These “awe walks” improved mood in the moment, but also had a positive cumulative effect.
I believe in personally practicing anything I would recommend to others. So, for several weeks, I engaged in an Awe Walk.
I walked in nature, in my neighborhood, noticing things as if for the first time. I sensed awe one full moon night hearing an owl’s “hoot” and locating it in a nearby tree with the full moon as the backdrop. I felt awe noticing a flower blooming between stone pavers, unfettered by elements in sharing its beauty. I experienced awe watching a father support and let go of his daughter’s two-wheel bike, allowing her to practice freedom and balance on wheels. There was a fox who crossed my path with swiftness that made me gasp. And I promise this is real and not fabricated, one day awe touched me with this:
Taking Awe Walks soothed my stressed heart and boosted my faith. I encourage you to experiment. Take a walk and gaze at the clouds, the horizon, stars, nature, graffiti, animals. Note what makes you feel part of something bigger and older than you are.
Other ideas:
Visit a museum or planetarium or local park
Listen to music that moves you
Get up early to watch the sunrise
Awe is more than just an awe-some experience. It may also boost our health and wellbeing and enhance the quality of connections. And it is something all of us could use these days.
