Concurrents – Environmental Psychology: Adding in Some Awe

by Sally Augustin, Ph.D. | February 13th, 2017

The case could be made that the holiday season is the season of awe. City Christmas trees decorated with millions of lights, a holiday gift that truly seems inspired, the brunch at a friend’s house where the food is sublime – all can inspire awe. But who says we can’t have that feeling year round? Feeling awed can be good for us, mentally and physically – and there are a number of ways to inspire awe. Making something large can make us feel awed, but so can using rare substances or executing a project with exceptional craftsmanship or cleverness. Technical brilliance can have the same effect. Awe is relatively easy with big budgets, but smaller sums shrewdly used can also inspire awe. And why is it good for us to be awed? Science has shown that when we feel awed, we’re more likely to do things that benefit others, and …