Moments of wonder can help to fend off depression and stress, research finds

There’s a famously apocryphal story about the making of the 1965 biblical epic The Greatest Story Ever Told. During a rehearsal, John Wayne, playing the Centurion at the Crucifixion, was asked by director George Stevens to deliver his line about Jesus Christ being the Son of God “with awe.” So, in the next take, the actor changed the line from the Bible to: “Awe, truly this man was the son of God.” Turns out that a daily dose of awe may be just what we all need. A new peer-reviewed study published in the Journal Nature suggests that brief moments of wonder and amazement can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and stress, even in individuals coping with persistent physical and mental health challenges.

The research, led by Maria Monroy of Yale University, found that people who made a habit of noticing everyday sources of awe—such as the intricate pattern on a leaf, the vastness of the night sky, or even a moving story or scientific fact—reported improvements in emotional wellbeing, even without structured therapy or medication.

“Very simply, our work demonstrates that finding moments of awe in everyday life can improve depressive symptoms and overall wellbeing,” said Monroy. “Our data suggest that finding moments of awe in daily life can shift how we view ourselves and our lives overall, and how stressful and meaningful we find them.”

The study recruited 68 participants, all of whom were living with long Covid—a condition that can involve lingering symptoms like fatigue, cognitive fog, and emotional distress. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a control group that continued daily life as usual, and an intervention group that was instructed to take time three times a day for three weeks to seek out brief awe-inspiring experiences.

The awe-seekers did not have to adopt complex mindfulness routines or use wellness apps. Instead, they were simply prompted via text messages to pause and notice their surroundings with openness and curiosity. They were encouraged to focus on “the vastness or intricacy” of what they observed—whether in nature, art, music, or human interaction.

After three weeks, those in the awe group showed significantly reduced depressive symptoms and perceived stress compared to the control group. The effect was particularly strong among those who were initially most depressed or stressed.

The researchers suggest awe may promote mental health by shifting attention outward and away from the self—especially from self-critical or ruminative thoughts. This “small self” effect, previously studied in psychological literature, helps individuals feel more connected to something larger than themselves, which may help reframe personal struggles and promote a sense of meaning.

The study builds on earlier findings linking awe to reduced inflammation, improved cardiovascular function, and even greater generosity and social connection. But this new research is among the first to demonstrate that micro-moments of awe can actively relieve psychological distress in people facing chronic illness.

The study’s authors believe these findings could inform low-cost, scalable mental health interventions—particularly for populations with limited access to traditional therapy. As Monroy and colleagues conclude in their paper: “These findings point to the power of simple psychological shifts in attention to improve mental health in people living with persistent stress and illness.”

Image: 1984 and Astronaut Bruce McCandless II, 41-B mission specialist, reaches a maximum distance from the Challenger Shuttle before reversing direction his manned manoeuvring unit (MMU) and returning to the spacecraft. A fellow crewmember inside the vehicle’s cabin took this photograph with a 70mm camera. The untethered EVA marked the first such experience for astronauts.