On World Mental Health Day, much of the world witnessed a rare sight – the Aurora Borealis (or Aurora Borealis). If you’ve experienced the Northern Lights first-hand like I have, you’ve probably experienced an overwhelming feeling of awe and wonder. A fleeting feeling of connection to everything and everyone. That unexpected sense of transcendence you feel is similar to what scientists and astronauts call the “overview effect,” which can profoundly affect your mental health and stress for the better.
Astronauts often describe feelings of awe and wonder as part of the overview effect they experience when looking down at Earth from space. This is a shift in perspective that can be sudden, transformative, and lasting. As Rachel Lyons, executive director of the nonprofit Space for Humanity, explained in a TedX talk: “It turns out that when astronauts go into space and look down at our planet, they see that it is a floating, interconnected, fragile The ball of life is in this infinite universe, and it causes a shift in their thinking. This cognitive shift is called the Overview Effect.
If you join me in gazing at the sky, you’re probably feeling some strong emotions too.
Earlier this week, as I joined millions of stargazers around the world in witnessing the Northern Lights dancing across the sky, I was overwhelmed by the same sudden and unexpected mix of emotions associated with the overview effect: wonder, Awe, connection and belonging. If you join me in gazing at the sky, you’re probably feeling some strong emotions too.
As a physician who specializes in stress, burnout, and mental health, I’ve always been fascinated by the science of awe and curiosity, especially how these emotions affect your brain, health, and happiness. Research shows that awe and curiosity help you think less about daily problems and stress, help you focus on things other than yourself, and feel more connected to others. Early science also showed a direct relationship between awe and stress. In a series of six different experiments, scientists studied the relationship between awe and stress and found that awe can positively reduce stress because it puts daily stress into perspective and improves well-being.
The change in perspective was exactly what it felt like to witness the Northern Lights, especially poignant because it was World Mental Health Day. You may have missed out on seeing the Northern Lights, and most of us don’t have the opportunity to go into space, but you can still benefit from the emotions of awe, wonder, and connection associated with the Overview Effect through your daily activities.
Take a few minutes to watch the vast sky at sunrise or sunset, lose yourself in a moving piece of music or art, walk or hike through a local forest or nearby beach, and if you can’t spend quality time in local nature, consider passing by Experience it digitally with nature-focused videos or recordings. Each week, aim to do one thing that cultivates your sense of awe and wonder. These small acts can heal your stressed-out brain and lead to better mental health, as research shows “awe can repair…and transform your sense of self.” In our current state of the world, which feels so broken and divided, a little repair can go a long way.
Aditi Nerurkar (she/her), M.D., is a Harvard stress expert, television journalist, and author of The Five Resets. Before becoming a doctor, Dr. Nerurkar was a stressed patient looking for answers. Once she found a way out of her stress, she vowed to become the doctor she needed. She was named one of the 100 Notable Women in America in 2024 and is a frequent keynote speaker at the 2018 Forbes Under 30 Summit and other events. Dr. Nerurkar is a member of PS Committee.
