Capture the Sunset Week: A Dose of Awe for your Mental Health

The word “awesome” is overused a lot. I know because I overuse it. But when something is truly awesome, it means that its presence moves us into a state of awe. Awe, by definition, is “a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.”

Awe can be found in a moving song, an uplifting speech, or a kind act. To be completely overwhelmed by something in a good way is a whole-body experience. Think about happy tears. Sometimes something feels so good, we literally can't contain it. To me, this is such a beautiful part of being human. 

Awe’s a big feeling for sure, but it’s actually great for our mental health. According to Psychology Today, “research reveals that experiencing awe can reduce stress, quiet our inner critic, and inspire us to act more altruistically toward the people around us.” (1)

It’s no wonder that looking at a sunset can make us feel better. July 20th kicks off National Capture the Sunset Week, and to celebrate, we asked our At The Roots team to show us their sunset photography. The results are…sorry, but they’re awesome!

Amazing what a difference it can make to slow down, take a breath, and notice the world around us. Taking in the vastness of a sky that seems hand-painted with intricate details and perfectly washed shades of warmth, it’s easy to feel small.

And maybe if we look long enough, our problems might seem smaller too.

1 Heshmat, Shahram. "The Mental Benefits of Seeking Awe." Psychology Today, 30 Jan. 2023, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-of-choice/202301/ the-mental-benefits-of-seeking-awemsockid=36a1a3aa08256b030e15b07b095d6a0a. Accessed 17 June 2025.