How Awe Stops Your Clock

Something happens when you dive into a world where clocks don’t tick and inboxes don’t ping. As your arms circle, swing and pull along the edge of a vast ocean, your mind wanders, and you open yourself to awe, to the experience of seeing something astonishing, unfathomable or greater than yourself. Studies have shown that awe can make us more patie

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Awe is one of the most profound feelings humans can experience.

When you are amazed by a vibrant sunset, or watching a baby take its first steps — you’re reminded of how insignificant you (and your problems) are.

You feel connected to something much greater and more meaningful.

Think about the last time you were truly awe-struck. Remember how those mo

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One of these is expanding our perception of 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. For example, one study reports that when people are inquired how long they have been walking in natural or urban settings, they tend to overestimate the time spent strolling in nature, but not in the city. In other words, time feels longer when we are immersed in natural

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Experiencing awe comes from what Dr. Keltner has called a “perceived vastness,” as well as something that challenges us to rethink our previously held ideas

Keltner became convinced that awe could be a counteragent to these immiserating modern neuroses. Notably, not a single respondent in Berkeley’s 26-culture study cited consumer purchases as the source of their awe-story. In “Awe,” Keltner writes: “Awe occurs in a realm separate from the mundane world of materialism, money, acquisition and status sig... See more

He recommends using mindfulness to help savour leisure experiences. “It expands your subjective perception of time (i.e., you feel like you have more of it) and enhances memory formation, which means you’ll not only feel like your vacations lasted longer, but you’ll remember them a lot better.”