Find the time to enjoy some awe in your life

During Mental Health Awareness Month, I am encouraging individuals, families, and communities to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the power of ‘awe’ in daily life.

I am championing the theme “Make Time for Awe” — a simple and powerful approach to improve mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

While many of us associate awe with once-off inspiring life events, the truth is that awe can be part of everyday life.

In our fast-paced, hyperconnected world, awe is often overlooked, yet the experience of it is at the cutting edge of research on emotional wellbeing.

Our bodies respond differently when we are experiencing awe than when we are feeling joy, contentment or fear.

Awe - those moments that stop us in our tracks and fill us with wonder - can have profound benefits for mental health.

This can expand our perspective, reduce stress, and foster a deeper sense of connection with others and the world around us.

Physically, awe activates the ‘vagal nerves’ or the clusters of neurons in the spinal cord that regulate various bodily functions, slowing our heart rate and breathing, while easing digestion.

In addition, it also has psychological benefits; many of us have a critical voice in our head, telling us we’re not smart enough, beautiful or simply good enough. Awe seems to quieten this negative self-talk.

I have spent years researching the intersection of science, spirituality, and wellbeing.

My message this May is clear: positive mental health is not just about addressing illness - it’s an ongoing strategy to actively nurture resilience, cultivate micromoments of joy and experience meaning in everyday life.

Why Awe Matters

Scientific research shows that experiencing awe, even briefly, can lower cortisol levels, enhance mood and increase feelings of gratitude, improve heart rate variability and immune function and encourage a greater sense of meaning and purpose.

We can detail the health benefits as ‘AWESOME’.

A - An antidote to stress

W - Wonder and inspiration

E - Enhances health - supports immunity and lowers inflammation

S - Satisfaction with life increases

O - Other-centred, in terms of connectedness, cooperation and kindness

M - More curious and creative

E - Emotional wellbeing and happiness increase

Awe doesn’t require a plane ticket to the Grand Canyon.

Making time for awe in daily life might sound lofty, but it’s actually about slowing down just enough to notice the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Awe isn’t just reserved for mountaintop views or life-changing experiences - it can be found in the smallest moments, if we’re paying attention.

It’s about being present - and truly seeing what’s already around us.

You could begin each day with the intention to find ‘awe’, and curiosity can become your superpower; even a short walk around the block can become an awe-inspiring experience if you slow your pace, put your phone away, and really observe.

Awe can also come from learning something that blows your mind - a fact about the universe, listening to a breathtaking piece of music, or simply enjoying the early morning dew, a magical sunrise or the simple smile of a baby.

Throughout the month of May, I will be sharing daily reflections and simple practices to help individuals invite awe into their everyday lives.

These will be available on my social media channels as part of the #MakeTimeForAwe in the month of May.

Waterford-based Dr Mark Rowe is best-selling author of four books and lifestyle medicine pioneer.

A pioneer in the fields of health promotion and lifestyle medicine, he combines cutting-edge science with timeless wisdom to inspire lasting positive change.

His latest book, Things Your Future Self Will Thank You For, offers readers practical tools for living with greater energy, resilience, and wellbeing.

For more information, follow him on @DrMarkRowe or visit drmarkrowe.com