By Eve Bell

This week, all wrapped up in the garden, I was captivated by the Northern Lights. They lit up our skies for only the second time this year.

The vibrant colours stretching across the sky felt like a gift from nature.

As social media filled up with photos and reactions, I couldn’t help but reflect. These moments have the power to connect us. Somehow, witnessing something so extraordinary, even from afar, feels like a collective experience. A shared reminder of our place in the grander scheme of things.

As humans, we’re hardwired for connection. But in this hyperconnected digital world, we’ve never felt more isolated.

The UK is facing a loneliness epidemic. According to a 2023 study by the Office for National Statistics, nearly 8 million adults feel “often” or “always” lonely. That’s more than 1 in 10 people. This sense of disconnect is creeping into every aspect of modern life. More and more of us struggle with feelings of isolation, even as we scroll through endless feeds of smiling faces and life updates.

We are missing more than just connection. Not in the social media sense anyway. We crave a deeper sense of belonging and wonder. That’s where awe comes in. Moments like those incredible aurora displays stir something deep inside us. They remind us that we are part of something much bigger.

And it’s not just a philosophical notion; science backs this up too.

When we experience awe, our bodies release hormones like oxytocin. Which is the so-called “love hormone” and it helps us bond with others. Research shows that awe can expand our sense of time and boost generosity. It can even increase life satisfaction. It’s one of the few experiences that actively pushes us out of ourselves. It creates a sense of connection not just with nature but with each other.

Awe doesn’t just happen when we witness grand spectacles like the Northern Lights. It’s available to us in everyday life. We can find it in the patterns of frost on a window. It shows in the majesty of an ancient tree and in the first smile of a newborn. We just need to make space to notice it.

Here are five simple ways to invite more awe into our lives:

1. Take a daily nature walk Even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Leave your phone behind and tune into the sights and sounds around you. Notice the details.
2. Stargaze Look up on a clear night, and let yourself marvel at the vastness of the universe. It’s humbling, grounding, and oddly comforting.
3. Practice mindful breathing Sometimes, awe is about slowing down. Notice the simple fact that you’re alive. You are breathing and connected to the world.
4. Read something inspiring. Books or articles that lift you out of your day-to-day worries can remind you of life’s broader mysteries.
5. Share your awe with others. Share a photo of a beautiful landscape. Share a passage from a moving book. These moments of wonder can deepen the experience and foster connection.

In a world that often feels disjointed, we need awe more than ever. It reminds us of our place in the universe and our connection to each other and the natural world. Awe is more than just an emotion. It acts as a bridge that takes us out of our isolation. It leads us into something larger and something shared. These moments of wonder are the glue that binds us, quietly healing the fractures in our fast-paced, wired lives.

We need more awe. Now more than ever.