The healthy benefits of awe

Gazing at a sunset. Seeing a loved one reach a goal she's sought for years. Walking your child down the aisle at a wedding.

These experiences have something in common: They inspire a sense of awe. Feelings of warmth and positivity flood the mind in a way that they don't when doing things like laundry or shopping for groceries.

And now science is finding that the benefits of awe may go beyond feelings of warmth and wonder. In fact, according to recent research, experiencing awe may carry significant physical and mental health benefits.

Doctors still don't fully understand the reasons behind these benefits, but studies show positive effects in people who regularly feel wonder or awe. These include:

• Reduced inflammation
• Lower stress
• Improved heart rate
• Improved diastolic blood pressure

Mayo Clinic experts say that you should make a point of having awesome experiences.

Getting out in nature is the most common way for people to feel that sense of awe. But it's not the only way. Relationships with other people can produce feelings of awe. Experiencing art or any kind of personal expression can produce it, too.

One tip? Enjoy awe-inspiring experiences, like a riverside picnic or sunrise hike, with devices turned off. But do call on technology for things like connecting with loved ones online and viewing art virtually.