Awe is the feeling of wonder sparked by something vast, sublime or unexpected. While natureoften evokes this emotion, a 2017 study revealed that profound awe is more commonly inspiredby acts of moral beauty—like courage, kindness or selflessness—than by material wealth orpossessions.

According to Dacher Keltner, author of Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder, awe reduces stress, improves physical symptoms, such as headaches, and fosters a deeper sense of meaning and connection. It can also help people be less self-focused and more inclined to help others.

Awe has been linked to spiritual experiences, as noted in a 2013 Psychological Science study. “Healthy doses of awe nourish us,” writes Keltner, “leaving us feeling strengthened, empowered and alive.”