A recent study published in Scientific Reports reveals that experiencing awe can significantly improve mental health for individuals suffering from long COVID.

The results indicated that those participating in awe-inducing activities reported lower levels of depression and stress, along with improved overall well-being compared to the control group.

However, the study found no significant difference in anxiety levels between the two groups, indicating that while awe can help with depression and stress, it may not impact anxiety.

Co-author Dacher Keltner highlighted the need for healthcare practices to incorporate awe to enhance both mental and physical care.

Conducted by Javier E. López from UC Davis Health, the research involved 68 participants with long COVID, who were divided into two groups: one engaged in awe-inducing activities, such as watching inspiring videos or walking in nature, while the control group maintained their usual routines.

These findings suggest that incorporating awe experiences into daily life could serve as a low-cost intervention for enhancing mental health.

Researchers emphasize the importance of integrating experiences that evoke awe—like nature, music, and art—into healthcare practices to achieve better mental health outcomes.

This research is particularly relevant given that around 20 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with long COVID, often experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression.