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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Awe summary
Dacher Keltner
The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life
4.3 (46 ratings)
12 mins
5 key ideas
Audio & text
What is Awe about?
Awe (2023) is a deep dive into this elusive emotion. Drawing on new research, it shows how awe can improve your mood, well-being, cognitive abilities, and relationships with others.
About the Author
Dacher Keltner is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. His research focuses on emotions, social hierarchies, and power. He has written several books, including Born to be Good and The Power Paradox.
Table of Contents
Awe
summarized in 5 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 5
Awe improves your well-being at multiple levels.
Science has shown that awe can improve our well-being in various ways.
First off, awe can reduce stress. When we experience it, we're more likely to feel positive emotions and a sense of connectedness to the world around us. This can help reduce our levels of cortisol – the stress hormone – which leads to a calmer mind.
Awe can also increase overall life satisfaction. When we take the time to appreciate the world's beauty, we feel more fulfilled and purposeful. Why do we gasp every time we see universally revered mountains and monuments? Simple: awe can help us see things more holistically and realize there are so many experiences and options ahead of us. Suddenly, we can see a greater adventure and new things to explore in the future.
In addition to its psychological benefits, awe can also enhance our physical health. Experiencing awe has been linked to lower levels of inflammation associated with several chronic health conditions. By promoting positive emotions and reducing stress, awe can have a powerful impact on our overall health and well-being.
Essentially, experiencing awe is an essential aspect of human life. By promoting positive emotions, reducing stress, increasing compassion and empathy, and enhancing physical health, awe can truly transform our lives.
So the next time you're in awe of something, take a moment to appreciate it; it will make you feel better.
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Who should read Awe
- Stressed individuals in need of a mood boost
- Those curious about the power of emotions
- Urban dwellers craving more meaning in life
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