Simple things can inspire awe. Search them out in your neighbourhood. In contrast with most of the ‘What You Can Do’ themed posts in this series, this post is dedicated to an easy and universal way to make you feel better, at least temporarily. The inspiration for this post came from an article appearing in the Mother Nature Network, https://www.mnn.com/ . This is an interesting feed tosubscribe to, by the way.
From the article:
“According to research, awe doesn’t just strike when you behold a majestic mountain or find yourself swept away by the sublime power of a perfectly crafted poem or symphony. It can also be harnessed in mundane places and through seemingly small, everyday experiences. You just have to become familiar with your awe triggers and seek them out regularly with an open, receptive mind. Best of all, doing so has proven benefits for your body, mind and spirit.”
Look at the next small, mundane, usually overlooked or discounted, thing you see; that frog is perfect, and beautiful. Marvel at the luck of this frog before you in making it this far, both as a species and as an individual. Awe can result!
“. . . research shows that awe is beneficial in many ways. Awe-seekers not only reach out more to help others, but they also have an enhanced sense of well-being and satisfaction with life. Physically, they enjoy better health, as well. One recent study showed that cultivating awe helps lower your body’s level of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Cytokines are proteins that play a role in the body’s immune response, but too many can cause inflammation that leads to Alzheimer’s, depression, heart disease, arthritis and other autoimmune conditions.”
“Thus, even a walk through the woods behind your house or a nearby park can allow you to drop everyday concerns and marvel at the newly blooming daffodils, the dapple effect of sunlight on the forest floor, or a toddler’s pure delight at splashing in a mud puddle.”
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