Awe is that feeling of being in the presence of something vast or wonderful, something that makes your everyday worries seem a little smaller. It might come from a starry sky, a piece of music or the kindness of a stranger.

Many people find that moments of awe leave them feeling calmer, more connected and more hopeful, and researchers have become increasingly interested in the emotion. The good news is that you don’t need a mountain or a grand canyon. Awe is available in everyday life, if you know where to look.

Here are seven ways to find it.

1. Look up

The sky is always there, changing from moment to moment. Step outside or look through a window and really notice the clouds, the colours or, at night, the moon and stars. Even thirty seconds can shift your perspective.

2. Look closely

Awe isn’t only about big things. Look closely at something small: the pattern of a leaf, an ant carrying a crumb, a flower pushing through a crack in the pavement. Small wonders are everywhere.

3. Explore somewhere new

Walk a different street, visit a part of town you don’t know or wander through a museum or gallery. New places help us see with fresh eyes.

4. See through a child’s eyes

Children often stop in wonder at a puddle, a pebble or a rainbow. If you spend time with a child, pause with them and share their curiosity.

5. Picture a place that moves you

Close your eyes and imagine a place that fills you with wonder, perhaps a waterfall, a field of wildflowers or a mountain view. Notice the details and how it feels to be there.

6. Remember a moment of awe

Think back to a time when you felt deeply moved: a birth, a sunset, a piece of music, a moment of connection. Recalling it can bring back a little of that feeling.

7. Notice meaningful coincidences

Sometimes two things line up in a way that makes you pause and smile. You don’t have to read meaning into it. Simply enjoy the sense of wonder it brings.

Making space for wonder

Awe often arrives when we slow down and pay attention. The more you look, the more you’ll find.

How little is enough

Choose one way to look for awe this week. Even one minute of really noticing the sky can make a difference to your day.

For more, read how time in nature can revitalize your body and restore your soul.

If you’d like to keep going with this, you’ll find a few gentle guides on the Guides page.