Anxiety is both a mental and physical state of negative expectation. Mentally it is characterized by increased arousal and apprehension tortured into distressing worry, and physically by unpleasant activation of multiple body systems—all to facilitate response to an unknown danger, whether real or imagined.
Awe is a complex emotion that occurs when we experience or witness something wondrous, vast, terrifying, inspiring, amazing, or mind-blowing. Awe can be triggered by experiences as diverse as walking through an untamed natural landscape, viewing a highly complex piece of art or architecture, having a spiritual or religious experience, or witnessing a seemingly impossible athletic feat; astronauts
The Link Between Anxiety and Awe
Anxiety and Awe are deeply interconnected psychological phenomena. Research shows that these two conditions frequently co-occur, with each often triggering or amplifying the other.
When someone experiences anxiety, it can create conditions that make awe more likely. Conversely, managing one can significantly improve outcomes for the other.
How Anxiety Affects Awe
The presence of anxiety can impact awe in several important ways:
- Heightened nervous system activation from anxiety can intensify awe symptoms
- Both share common underlying mechanisms in the brain's stress response systems
- Addressing anxiety often leads to measurable improvements in awe
- The combination can create self-reinforcing cycles that require integrated treatment
Practical Strategies When Dealing with Both
When anxiety and awe occur together, a combined approach is most effective:
- Seek professional assessment — get an accurate picture of how each affects you
- Address underlying causes — identify shared root causes (sleep, stress, trauma)
- Use evidence-based interventions — CBT, mindfulness, and behavioral approaches work for both
- Build support networks — social connection buffers both conditions
- Track patterns — use journaling to see how they interact in your life