Cultivating Awe & Emotional Connection in Daily Life | Dr. Dacher Keltner

Awe is not just a feeling; it has measurable positive impacts on physical and mental health. Studies show it reduces inflammation, enhances vagal tone (linked to relaxation and well-being), and can even decrease symptoms of long COVID with just a minute of daily engagement. It promotes a sense of vastness in consciousness and increases kindness.

A minute of awe a day reduced long COVID symptoms. An 8-week 'awe walk' study in elderly individuals (75+) led to less physical pain and better brain health six years later. Keltner notes medical doctors are considering prescribing nature or music through awe.

Awe is frequently triggered by a shift in perception from a narrow, focused view to a broad, expansive one. This applies to visual experiences, like emerging from a tunnel to a wide horizon, and conceptual experiences, such as realizing a personal effort is part of a larger idea or history. This shift promotes relaxation and a sense of being part of something larger than oneself.

Dr. Keltner describes working with Pixar's Pete Doctor on techniques for producing awe in children's films, which often involve moving from a narrow to a vast visual field. A study with elderly participants on 'awe walks' instructed them to shift their focus from small details (a leaf) to vast patterns (a tree's canopy). Huberman notes his own research on visual aperture and parasympathetic activation when viewing horizons.

Embarrassment is a crucial social emotion that signals an individual's adherence to group norms and commitment to the collective. When someone shows embarrassment, it indicates they care about the group's rules and values, making them more likable and trustworthy to others. This mechanism is evident in teasing dynamics within close-knit groups.

Keltner's early research on fraternity members showed that those who expressed more embarrassment during teasing were liked more by their peers. Darwin also wrote about the blush as a sign of healthy character and moral virtue. Damage to the orbital frontal cortex, associated with ethical consideration, can lead to a lack of embarrassment, making individuals seem 'creepy' or rule-breaking.

Excessive self-focus, often exacerbated by modern social media, is a primary antagonist to experiencing awe. Awe requires quieting the 'self' and connecting to something vast and external. Social media's design, prioritizing individual content and often fostering 'rage baiting,' can fragment collective experience and prevent the deep, memorable engagement necessary for awe.

Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote, 'all mean egotism vanishes,' describes the experience of awe. Longitudinal data from Jean Twenge indicates increased self-focus, with a quarter to half of all photos taken being of oneself. Keltner notes that in a study of 2600 people, no one cited social media as a source of awe. Huberman points out the lack of memorability in daily social media consumption, akin to the 'space-time disintegration' of certain drugs of abuse.

Shared collective experiences are powerful drivers of awe and essential for human bonding and well-being. Activities like attending concerts, sporting events, or participating in community gatherings synchronize brain patterns and foster a sense of shared humanity and belonging. These experiences are vital for countering loneliness and building social capital.

Keltner cites research on brain synchronization during music and sporting events. He mentions Emil Durkheim's concept of 'collective effervescence.' Stories of awe from 26 countries frequently involve collective events like football games. A meta-analysis of 350,000 participants links social community to a 10-year increase in life expectancy. Examples include farmers markets, yoga studios, and even CrossFit gyms fostering community.