What is an Awe Walk and Why You Should Try It

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When was the last time you took a walk and stared in perfect wonder at the stars? If your eyes haven’t seen the outdoors lately — beyond the walk from your office to your car — you could be missing out on one of the best ways to improve your mental health. An “awe walk” may be just what the doctor ordered. 

What is an awe walk? How do you take one and what makes it so curative? Discover this totally free way to improve your mood and mindset and then lace up your shoes — you’re going on a small adventure. 

What Is an “Awe Walk?” 

Look around at the world. How did all of this get here? While you might be able to name the architect who designed your office complex, you can’t name who or what created the earth beneath it — or why. Science goes far in telling human beings how things work but cannot answer why they exist at all. That’s where an awe walk comes in. 

A single awe walk may not reveal universal secrets — but it creates a sacred space to ponder them. Doing so in nature lets you explore who you are in the context of the universe, which is so much larger than yourself. It lets you ponder questions big and small, from what set off the big bang to where that squirrel on a nearby tree is off in such a hurry. 

Awe walks reconnect you with the miracle of existence. It reminds you that you are a human being, not a human doing but a part of the wonder of all creation. Phrases like “you are enough” cease being a marketing ploy on a yoga mat and become real. How cool it is that you exist and can explore the richness of our world!

Awe walks are the perfect antidote to the endless anxiety and depression many feel. We are living things imprisoned in a world of time clocks that want punching, landlords who charge ever-increasing rents, and bosses who demand more work for less pay. These walks shift your mindset away from the grind mentality toxifying much of modern society and toward a more natural, connected, and spiritual way of being.

Yes, awe walks have oodles of concrete effects that benefit you in the so-called “real world.” However, their very power lies in letting you see through the artifice, clearly recognizing the fanfare and fluff of daily life for what it is so that you can mindfully choose what to allow into your psyche. When you feel a part of something bigger than yourself, deep down in your bones, minor irritations like traffic jams lose their power to ruin your day. 

How to Take an Awe Walk 

Taking an awe walk is as easy as lacing up your shoes and stepping outside. If you’re fortunate enough to live near a park, open space, or beach, you can even skip the first step — practice a little earthing and let your toes sing. 

The most crucial component of an awe walk is to tune out of human-made stimuli and into nature. Leave your cell phone and earbuds at home to immerse yourself in birdsong and the sweet susurra of the breeze through the treetops. Allow no screens to distract you — instead, delight in the festive hues of flowers and grass. 

In the words of Zen Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh, enjoy your awe walk for each step, each moment, giving no thought to your destination, step count or calories burned. Instead, get mindful. Feel the sun on your skin and the air, if cool, raising goosebumps on your arms. Inhale deeply, delight in fresh oxygen that doesn’t come from an HVAC system, smile at passersby and giggle at the antics of chipmunks who don’t clutter their days with bills and dire news reports. 

6 Benefits of an Awe Walk 

If the description alone isn’t enough to drive you outdoors, consider the following six benefits you can reap through taking regular awe walks. 

1. Ignite Your Creativity 

Creativity entails using your imagination and few things inspire it like nature. As you proceed on your awe walk, ask yourself questions, no matter how silly. For example, “Look at that wren. Is she singing because she’s happy or to warn other birds from her nest?” Maybe the answer is a bit of both — mentally write a story or poem about why that uncaged bird sings. 

2. Sleep More Soundly at Night  

Spending at least 15 minutes outdoors taking an awe walk daily could help you combat insomnia. How? Your eyes receive light signals, which they send to your brain. These, in turn, influence your circadian rhythm, the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. 

The mild exercise alone might help you get your Zzzs, especially if you’re sedentary. Every mom knows taking her kids to the park makes naptime easier. The same principle of physically tuckering yourself out works for adults, too.

3. Improve Your Mood and Outlook

Countless studies have shown that spending more time outdoors improves your mood and outlook. You produce natural vitamin D, a lack of which can influence the development of mood disorders. Furthermore, nature’s irregular lines and green and blue hues contrast against sharp city angles, to which too much exposure can worsen mental health outcomes. 

4. Enhance Your Cognitive Function 

If you have a big test approaching, your best bet may be to take a break from the books and go for an awe walk. Doing so could make your study time more effective. Multiple studies show a correlation between physical activity and cognitive function, and getting moving in a natural environment may be even more beneficial. 

5. Improve Your Immune Response

It’s tough to feel your best physically or mentally when you catch a nasty bug. An awe walk may improve your immune response. Spending time outdoors raises your white blood cell count, cells that scour your body to fight off attacking bacteria and viruses. 

6. Relieve Stress and Tension 

Stress is a modern epidemic, with more than half of Americans reporting excessive levels. Awe walks combat tension both from a bottom-up and a top-down perspective. Physical activity mitigates cortisol levels, a stress hormone that can cause health trouble in excess. Focusing your attention on the antics of swooping birds takes your mind off your boss’s last tirade. 

Try an Awe Walk and Reap the Benefits

If you feel down or anxious or simply need a burst of inspiration, try an awe walk. You don’t have to save this practice for a Sunday morning — you can indulge anytime and nearly anywhere for free. Doing so could provide the boost you need to adjust your mood and mindset, feel better, and give your best to others. 

Of course, the ultimate reason to indulge in an awe walk is to marvel at the majesty of being. Immersing yourself in the sheer grandeur of creation makes daily troubles seem inconsequential against the inexpressible wonder of being alive.