Environmental Psychology in the News

The Wonders of Awe

Eva Rothenberg (“Why Looking at Awe-Inspiring Art Could Lead to a Happier, Healthier Life,” 2023 https://www.cnn.com/style/article/awe-wonder-art/index.html) gets to the root of why awe is good for us.

As she details, “It may be a sunset, a stirring orchestral number or a striking painting — whatever gives you goosebumps or makes you shed a tear. Experts believe that consistently seeking out these awe-inspiring experiences could lead to a significantly happier and healthier life. . . . Research shows that awe and wonder improve positive social behavior by helping people feel as though they are a part of something bigger than themselves. . . . awe was among the positive emotions associated with less inflammation in the body, a major trigger for chronic disease. Awe has also been shown to calm our sympathetic nervous system, which activates when we feel stressed, increasing our heart rate and blood pressure. . . . people who experience wonder tend to find a greater sense of wellbeing and purpose in their lives. . . .  It is also associated with more creativity and curiosity.”  Much of Rothenberg’s commentary is linked to the work of Dacher Keltner of the University of California Berkeley.

The bottom line:  go out and get yourself awed, via art or whatever other way works best for you.  All sorts of different things can awe us, from exquisite workmanship to the use of a rare material to a compelling painting to something that’s very large (like the interior of a cathedral), for example.

We discussed the benefits of being awed here.

Noise Matters

A recent article (Emily Baumgartner and others, 2023, “Noise Could Take Years Off Your Life.  Here’s How”https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/06/09/health/noise-exposure-health-impacts.html) makes a compelling case for carefully managing the soundscapes in our lives.

As the authors relate, “chronic noise . . . is not just annoying.  It is a largely unrecognized health threat that is increasing the risk of hypertension, stroke and heart attacks worldwide. . . . We’ve all been told to limit the volume on our headphones to protect our hearing.  But it is the relentless din of daily life in some places that can have lasting effects throughout the body. . . . Anyone who lives in a noisy environment . . . may feel they have adapted to the cacophony.  But data shows the opposite:  prior noise exposure primes the body to overreact, amplifying the negative effects.  Even people who live in relatively peaceful rural and suburban communities can be at risk. . . . because there is little ambient noise to drown out the jolt [of a passing train, for instance].”

The Baumgartner and teammates’ article is packed with useful information about noise-related research.  You’ll find it handy, whether you live in a noisy environment or not.

Designing for Neurodiversity

There has been a lot of attention focused recently on designing spaces where people who are neurodiverse can thrive.

In “Mesa: The US’ First Autism-Friendly City” Lindsey Galloway (2023, https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230529-mesa-the-us-first-autism-friendly-city) profiles the efforts of one city to create a wellbeing haven for people on the autism spectrum: “travel can be so stressful for neurodiverse people that 87% of autistic families don’t take vacations. . . . The sensory overload involved in travel – including loud noises, dietary changes and a disruption in routine – can cause discomfort and outbursts if not compassionately managed and addressed. But cities like Mesa are finally putting the training and accessibility tools in place so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of travel – not just the neurotypical. . . . [at] businesses like hotels, restaurants and attractions . . . public-facing staff are trained to understand what autism is, how to empathise with how autistic individuals experience the world and potential common sensitivities, and how to communicate more effectively with them. . . .  In November 2019, the city became the first Autism-Certified City in the world, and other tourism bureaus and cities have started to follow suit.”