The Decibel Happy Enough: Why awe makes us happier
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Jan 17, 2026 
Dacher Keltner, a professor of psychology and director at the Greater Good Science Center, explores the transformative power of awe. He defines awe as an emotion that makes us feel both small and happier, sharing insights from personal experiences that fueled his passion for the subject. Keltner discusses the AWWALK study, showing that noticing everyday wonders reduces pain and anxiety. He also reveals how awe impacts our physiology and health, and offers practical tips to cultivate awe in daily life, encouraging us to embrace the wonders around us.
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Awe Is A Bodily, Brief Reaction
- Awe is a brief emotion we feel when encountering things that are vast and mysterious beyond our frame of reference.
- The bodily response includes tears, goosebumps, and chest warmth driven by vagus nerve activation.
Personal Roots Of Awe Research
- Dacher Keltner began studying awe after personal loss and a childhood filled with art and wonder that shaped his scientific curiosity.
- He turned to lab science to explore an emotion he experienced growing up in Laurel Canyon during a culturally rich era.
Pause On Walks To Notice Wonder
- Pause and open yourself to mystery during ordinary activities like a walk to notice small and large wonders around you.
- That simple mindset reduced pain and anxiety in older participants in the AWWALK study.
