Find Healing: How Awe and Beauty Combat Trauma

Discover the Healing Power of Awe and Beauty

Experiencing awe and beauty are fundamental human needs that play a crucial role in our overall health and well-being. While often overlooked, especially in discussions about recovery from trauma, these experiences can profoundly impact our mental, emotional, and even physical health. Social scientists are increasingly recognizing that seeking out moments of awe and appreciating beauty are not luxuries, but essential components of a healthy life.

What is Awe?

Awe can be simply described as a feeling that leaves us speechless, often accompanied by goosebumps. These physical reactions, like goosebumps, are linked to the release of dopamine in the brain, a chemical associated with pleasure and reward. Think of the feeling you get listening to a powerful song or witnessing a breathtaking sunset; that’s awe in action.

The Two Sides of Awe

Experts define awe as involving two key elements:

• Perceived Vastness: This is encountering something that feels immense, grand, or much larger than ourselves. This could be the sheer size of mountains or oceans, the stunning beauty of a sunset, or even witnessing incredible skill in an athlete or musician.
• Accommodation: This is how that vast experience impacts our perspective on life and ourselves. Our minds have to adjust and make sense of something that challenges our usual way of thinking, leading to internal shifts in our understanding.

Awe is often described as a feeling we get when faced with something larger than ourselves, something that shifts our view of the world. It can create a sense of smallness, but not one that leads to shame. Instead, it can foster a feeling of connection to others and broaden our horizons. This is particularly important because complex trauma can often lead to feelings of shame and inadequacy, and awe can be a powerful antidote to these negative emotions.

The Essential Need for Beauty

Similarly, beauty is considered an essential quality of reality that the human spirit needs. Without it, some suggest, the soul can drift into despair. Imagine a world devoid of beauty, or places scarred by devastation and pollution. The introduction of beauty, even through something like a mural in a school, can uplift spirits and nourish the soul. Beauty is not just a subjective preference; it’s a universal human need. Ignoring this need can leave us feeling spiritually barren.

Trauma’s Impact on Awe and Beauty

For individuals who have experienced complex trauma, the natural inclination to seek awe and beauty can be significantly diminished or even distorted. In a safe environment, children are naturally curious and find pleasure in exploring and discovering new things, often experiencing awe. However, when a child is in survival mode due to trauma, their focus shifts entirely to safety. Exploration and appreciation of beauty become low priorities, seen as irrelevant to immediate survival needs.

This shift can cause fear to replace awe as the primary overwhelming experience. Fear, being something uncontrollable and immense, can leave individuals feeling speechless and frozen, similar to the physical reactions of awe but driven by danger. This reorients a person’s focus from seeking beauty to constantly scanning for danger, causing them to miss out on the positive aspects of life. Their world can become dark and fear-based.

Furthermore, the innate need for awe can lead to what some call “pseudo awe” experiences in those with trauma backgrounds. These are often adrenaline-fueled activities like extreme sports, which provide a temporary “wow” feeling but are also risky and don’t address the deeper need for genuine, positive awe.

The Benefits of Healthy Awe Experiences

Research highlights numerous benefits associated with experiencing healthy awe:

• Self-Transcendence: Awe experiences take us out of our everyday concerns, making us feel part of something larger than ourselves. This can reduce self-centeredness and foster a sense of connection.
• Increased Generosity and Pro-Social Behavior: Feeling part of something bigger often makes individuals more generous and motivated to help others.
• Improved Mental Health: Awe triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin, brain chemicals that reduce anxiety, lower inhibitions, and improve mood. This can significantly enhance overall mental well-being.
• Physical Health Benefits: Studies suggest that awe experiences can reduce levels of Interleukin-6, a pro-inflammatory cytokine linked to heart problems.
• Better Stress Management: Regular experiences of awe can help individuals cope better with stress by shifting focus away from internal worries and promoting engagement with the world.
• Enhanced Cognitive Function: Awe can improve critical thinking skills and may reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms by helping individuals think more flexibly and see situations from new perspectives.
• Expanded Time Perception: Awe can make us feel richer in time, reducing feelings of pressure and increasing enjoyment of the present moment.
• Boosted Creativity: Throughout history, awe-inspiring experiences have sparked countless works of art, literature, and spiritual reflection.
• Hope and Perspective: In difficult times, awe can provide hope by reminding us of our place in a larger context and lifting us out of despair.
• Spiritual Connection: For many, awe is deeply connected to their spiritual beliefs, fostering a sense of peace and trust.

As psychologist Abraham Maslow noted in his theory of peak experiences, moments of awe can be transformative, involving a sense of ego transcendence and a perception of the world as good and beautiful.

Cultivating Awe and Beauty in Recovery

For those who have experienced complex trauma and may struggle to access healthy awe, intentionally cultivating these experiences is key. It requires slowing down and setting aside distractions.

Practical Steps to Finding Awe:

• Connect with Nature: Spend time in nature, go for walks, or watch nature documentaries. Even simple observation can be a starting point. Virtual reality experiences can also offer immersive nature walks.
• Engage with Music: Listen to music that evokes powerful emotions and goosebumps.
• Spiritual Practices: For some, meditation on spiritual concepts or a higher power can be a source of awe.
• Mindful Observation: Take dedicated time to focus on something beautiful or vast, such as images of the universe from the Hubble telescope, the Northern Lights, majestic mountains, or the changing seasons.
• Appreciate Simple Beauty: Notice the beauty in everyday things, like the changing colors of leaves, or the innocence of a baby or baby animal.

It’s important to remember that awe experiences are typically temporary, lasting from minutes to a few hours. To consistently benefit, you need to periodically step away from busyness and intentionally seek them out. Varying your experiences is also important to maintain their impact.

Furthermore, awe is often enhanced when shared. Connecting with a higher power, a loved one, or even sharing the experience of wonder through a child’s eyes can deepen its meaning and impact. Planning for these moments and being willing to interrupt your routine can help meet this vital need for beauty and awe, leading to profound positive changes in your recovery journey.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

Source: Beauty and Awe: Two Essential Needs for Trauma Recovery | Healthy Tools #10 (YouTube)