It’s “Awefull”, not Awful
I’m an awefull therapist.
No, not an awful therapist (though my inner critic sometimes tries to convince me otherwise), an AWE-FULL therapist.
Full of awe.
The definition of awe is “a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder”.
It’s standing on top of a mountain and realising how small the city is below you- and then realising how many little lives are living down there. It’s gazing up at a million stars. It’s seeing your newborn for the first time. It’s swimming with whales. It’s listening to a phenomenal live performance of your favourite song. It’s achieving something you never thought possible.
I was first introduced to the concept of awe and its magical influence on our mental health and wellbeing while I was studying.
It was in a unit of my degree called Positive Psychology, which I got a tremendous amount of knowledge and inspiration from.
Positive Psychology’s focus was shifting our perspective as therapists to look at wellbeing as not just fixing issues and reducing suffering, but instead helping our clients to thrive and live full, whole-hearted lives.
That really sparked something in me.
After having worked with multiple therapists who seemed to see me as a problem to be solved, it was refreshing to know that there is another way. A way to help my clients to feel more connected, hopeful and joyful in their lives, rather than just ‘mentally well’.
“And what does that have to do with awe?” I hear you ask, dear reader. And let me tell you:
Studies have found that awe triggers five processes in the body/mind that benefit our wellbeing: shifts in our neurophysiology (such as increasing our production of oxytocin, reducing muscle tension), reducing our self-focus (we look at the bigger picture- which boosts our mood, stops rumination and helps us control impulses), increases our prosocial relationality (makes us want to do things that benefit society as a whole), increases social integration (feeling connected to others) and gives us a deeper sense of ‘meaning’ in life (makes it all worth it).
And that’s a lot to achieve just from gazing up at the starry sky!
One of the things that brings me awe is seeing the incredible resilience, capacity for change and persistence of hope firsthand with my clients. And I absolutely do feel better for it. And I absolutely do feel grateful to be here, right now.
So I encourage you, as I often do with my clients, to seek out opportunities to experience awe:
-Get out into nature, look UP, immerse yourself in the present moment, taken in the colours, the sensations, the wonder of the environment around you.
-Listen to music, listen to LIVE music, dance.
-Give yourself opportunities to be inspired by others: watch the X-Factor, watch documentaries, watch the Olympics, read biographies, read positive news (Good News Network).
-Take chances on yourself, surprise yourself, feel the fear and do it anyway.
And enjoy the awefull juicy benefits coming your way.
Monroy M, Keltner D. Awe as a Pathway to Mental and Physical Health. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2023 Mar;18(2):309-320. doi: 10.1177/17456916221094856. Epub 2022 Aug 22. PMID: 35994778; PMCID: PMC10018061. (Accessed: 06 February 2025)
Awe (no date) Psychology Today. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/basics/awe#:~:text=Awe%20is%20still%20in%20some%20ways%20mysterious%2C%20and,few%20theories%20as%20to%20why%20we%20feel%20it.?msockid=2481783fb61c62923fc06d53b7c36372 (Accessed: 06 February 2025).
