Awe walk

Question for you, have you taken an awe walk lately? A-W-E, meaning a walk that taps into your sense of wonder in some way? Well, you see Berkeley psychology professor Dr. Docker Keltner says daily awe walks are amazing for our physical and mental health because whenever we're in awe of something, research shows we'll feel a combination of positive emotions that are proven to calm our nervous system, reduce inflammation in our body, and even create optimism.

And you don't need to be looking at the Grand Canyon either. Dr. Keltner says all we need is to find something new in our own neighborhood because we're most likely to be awestruck when we're discovering places and things that are unfamiliar to us.

Look at this, look at that. Or try experiencing familiar places in new ways, say by focusing on how the birds are singing or how different the clouds look in the sky. Because whenever you focus on one small detail and then slowly expand your field of attention, you begin to see how complex and connected the world really is.

This distracts you from negative thoughts. It helps you see that you're part of something much bigger and more important than just one stressful day. Hey, if you want to go further, check out Dr. Keltner's new book, Awe, the new science of everyday wonder and how it can transform your life.