Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

'Awe Therapy' Can Ease Our Hurried Minds

The Northern Lights or Grand Canyon can 'make us nicer'

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 22, 2012 3:15 PM CDT

(Newser) Awwwesome. Say it enough, and your health improves—at least according to those who believe in "awe therapy." Researchers at Stanford University say that people who have "awesome" experiences, like seeing the Grand Canyon or the Northern Lights, get fixed on the present moment and feel time slowing down. They become more patient, less focused on material things, and more willing to spend time helping others, the Independent reports.

The researchers had participants watch videos of people in city streets who encounter awesome things, like whales and waterfalls—or had them write about personal memories like looking down on Paris from the Eiffel tower. "Awe-eliciting experiences might offer one effective solution to the feelings of time-starvation that plague so many people in modern life," the researchers said. Other studies have linked "lack of time" feelings to poor sleep, headaches, and high blood pressure.

In this March 9, 2011 file photo, the aurora borealis, or northern lights, fill the sky above Takotna, Alaska.
In this March 9, 2011 file photo, the aurora borealis, or northern lights, fill the sky above Takotna, Alaska.   (AP Photo/The Anchorage Daily News, Bob Hallinen, FILE)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
3%
22%
1%
65%
1%
8%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Jonatan
Jul 25, 2012 7:01 AM CDT
Oh, it is so sweet! I want to see Grand Canion and stop thinking about money and carier lose weight fast
schmidtkoff
Jul 22, 2012 9:54 PM CDT
i know awesome. the mayan ruins in palenque. totally totally awesome. the pre-columbian ruins in oaxaca, monte alban. that's awesome. wandering around the souks in  Marrakech is awesome. my only fear is that i will not be able to make it to the valley of the kings, and to tour egypt on the back of a camel. which would be totally awesome. 
myflap.blow
Jul 22, 2012 8:18 PM CDT
my mind is so relaxed - thanks to some awesome Northern Lights! I hear the Northern Lights are cool too.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne