Common Triggers
- →Natural wonders like waterfalls or canyons
- →Artistic performances such as concerts or theater
- →Scientific discoveries and space exploration
- →Spiritual experiences in sacred places
- →Encounters with historical or cultural landmarks
- →Moments of personal achievement that feel larger than life
Physical Sensations
- •Increased heart rate
- •Goosebumps
- •Wide eyes
- •Open mouth
- •Tingling spine
- •Caught breath
Plutchik's Emotion Wheel
awe
Working with This Emotion
Recognize
Awe often manifests as a sudden, intense feeling that can leave you speechless. You might feel your heart rate increase, your breath catch, or a sense of goosebumps. Facial expressions include wide eyes and an open mouth. Words like 'amazed,' 'dumbfounded,' and 'flabbergasted' capture the essence of awe.
Understand
Awe is commonly triggered by encounters with vastness, power, or beauty that challenge our existing frameworks. This can include natural phenomena, artistic masterpieces, scientific discoveries, or spiritual experiences. Understanding what specifically evokes awe in you can help you seek out more of these moments.
Label
To label awe accurately, consider the unique blend of reverence and wonder mixed with a touch of fear. It is different from simple surprise, which lacks the deep respect and admiration. Awe also differs from joy, which is more purely positive without the element of being overwhelmed.
Express
Healthy ways to express awe include sharing your experiences with others, creating art or writing inspired by what you've seen, or simply taking a moment to reflect on the profound impact it has had on you. Engaging in activities that foster a sense of wonder can also help maintain this emotion.
Regulate
If awe feels overwhelming, try grounding techniques like deep breathing or focusing on your immediate surroundings. You can also balance intense feelings by engaging in more routine activities that bring a sense of normalcy and control. Over time, you might find that the intensity of awe diminishes, allowing you to appreciate it without feeling overwhelmed.
Co-occurring Emotions
Emotions that frequently appear alongside awe, based on the NRC Emotion Lexicon.
Associated Words
Words associated with awe from the NRC Emotion Lexicon.
Using Inner
Using Inner, you can track patterns of when and where awe arises. Notice the physical sensations in your body, such as a tingling spine or widened eyes. Journal about what triggers these feelings and how they affect your mood and perspective. Over time, you might find that cultivating awe helps reduce stress and increases your sense of connection to the world around you.
Try Inner for FreeSources & References
- —RULER Framework (Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence)
- —Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions
- —Geneva Emotion Wheel
- —Lisa Feldman Barrett - How Emotions Are Made
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