For those suffering from the lingering effects of Covid-19, relief may come from sources of unexpectedness – a brief moment of daily awe. A new randomized controlled clinical trial found that finding a simple practice of awe in daily life can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and improve the overall health of patients with long-term COVID-19.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, marks the first clinical evidence that the intentional fostering experience of awe — a sense of surprise when encountering something huge or beyond our normal frame of reference — can bring measurable benefits to mental health.
“This work is the first to document the beneficial effects of awe on mental health, such as reducing symptoms of depression,” said María Monroy, Michael Amster and a team of colleagues from multiple institutions.
Long Covid continues to affect millions of symptoms around the world, with persistent symptoms usually including not only physical illness but also severe psychological distress. The pandemic has led to a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide, and these mental health challenges are particularly evident and persistent among long-term patients.
Feeling awe in ordinary moments
What makes this intervention particularly promising is its simplicity. Participants were taught a three-step process: paying all their hearts to pay attention to or discover amazing things in their environment, slowing down, and then amplifying any feelings they experienced.
Researchers stressed that participants found that awe did not require extraordinary events. Instead, practice can be performed in a short moment of the whole day – less than 30 seconds a day, three times a day.
The four-week intervention was delivered fully online in a 60-minute weekly course, making it accessible to U.S. participants in U.S. CDC-compliant U.S. participants.
Excellent results
These findings are shocking. People who practiced awe intervention showed a 17% reduction in depression symptoms, a 12% reduction in stress levels and a 16% increase in overall health compared to the control group. The effect size ranges from medium to large, indicating the robustness of these findings.
It is worth noting that although interventions improve multiple aspects of mental health, they do not significantly affect anxiety symptoms. Researchers believe this may suggest that feelings of worry and anxiety may be more common and resistant to changes when dealing with chronic diseases such as prolonged periods of time.
The study included 68 participants who confirmed a long-term diagnosis, who randomly assigned interventions immediately or immediately after waiting period or after waiting. The intervention team reported that the experience of awe was significantly higher than that of the control group, confirming that the technology successfully cultivated target emotions.
Why awe work
This study is based on growing evidence that awe has unique benefits for health and well-being. Awe is often experienced through encounters with actions of nature, art, human kindness, spiritual practice, and even intellectual enlightenment.
Previous research has linked awe experiences with reduced physiological stress responses, reduced introspection and improved well-being. During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, another study found that when people were in awe, they reported less stress, reduced physical health symptoms and greater happiness.
The difference between the new study is its rigorous clinical trial design and focuses on specific patient populations with ongoing health challenges.
Impact on treatment
These findings still have potential implications for millions who are still struggling for a long time. Although many treatments focus on addressing physical symptoms, this intervention provides a complementary approach specifically targeting mental health.
The researchers point out that the simplicity and accessibility of the intervention make it particularly valuable. It does not require special equipment, can be practiced anywhere, and requires minimal time – an important factor for individuals who have already dealt with the burden of chronic illness.
This work adds to the long-term shared efforts currently aimed at understanding and treatment, including the recovery of NIH initiative, to demonstrate that brief awe-inspiring interventions can promote greater mental health in this population.
Although the researchers acknowledged the limitations of including sample sizes and replication with the active control group, they stressed that the larger effect size encouraged potential applications of these findings.
As we continue to address the long-term effects of the pandemic, such simple interventions leverage our natural miracle capabilities may provide meaningful support for those who are still struggling with their aftereffects.
If our report has been informed or inspired, please consider donating. No matter how big or small, every contribution allows us to continue to provide accurate, engaging and trustworthy scientific and medical news. Independent news takes time, energy and resources – your support ensures that we can continue to reveal the stories that matter most to you.
Join us to make knowledge accessible and impactful. Thank you for standing with us!
