Health/Wellness, Hiking, Trying New Things, Vancouver Island

Wonder

Wonder
Noun
• a cause of astonishment or admiration
• the quality of exciting, amazed admiration
• rapt astonishment at something mysterious or new
Intransitive Verb
• to be in a state of wonder
• to feel surprise
• to feel curiosity or doubt
Transitive Verb
• to be curious or in doubt about
Adjective
• exciting amazement or admiration
• effective far beyond anything previously known

Wonder and wellness may be more interconnected than we first realize. Awe, curiosity, and deep appreciation can significantly benefit our emotional, physical, and social well-being.

Wonder can quiet our minds and reduce cortisol levels. Awe can slow our heart rates and bring a sense of calm.



Moments of awe often trigger positive emotions, contributing to an overall sense of well-being. Experiencing wonder can draw us into the present moment, enhancing mindfulness.


Wonder helps us to step outside ourselves and reconnect with the larger world–supporting our emotional well-being. When we feel wonder, our perspective often shifts, allowing for greater resilience, gratitude, and overall life satisfaction.

Spending time in nature can reduce stress and elevate our mindset. Physiological responses, such as reduced cortisol levels and increased endorphins, suggest a biological basis for nature’s roll in well-being.

Shared experiences of wonder can strengthen our bonds with others, boosting empathy and cooperation. Strong relationships and community ties are proven predictors of long-term wellness and longevity.


All photos above are from a recent trip with friends to Meares Island, B.C. (just a short water taxi ride from Tofino). Meares Island boasts giant trees–some up to 2,000 years old–along with pristine, awe-inspiring beauty. If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend taking this trip.

Over to You

When did you last experience wonder?
What impact did it have on you?
This is my contribution to July’s Wellness Reimagined, hosted by Debbie, Jennifer, Jo, Sue and me. We’d love for you to share your thoughts in the comments and/or link up with us. We hope to see you here.

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References


Awe Can Do Wonders for Your Well Being – If You Know Where to Look For It
Celebrating World Mental Health Day: How Scenic Beauty Nourishes the Mind
Nature: How Connecting with Nature Benefits Our Mental Health
The Neuroscience and Health Benefits of Experiencing Awe and Wonder





99 thoughts on “Wonder”

    1. Hi, Kate – The steps, the boardwalk and the rocky, rooty dirt path were all a definite challenge. But I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Seeing 2000 year old trees that had once been scheduled for clear-cutting and saved in a historic law case was absolutely incredible!

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    1. Hi, Janis – You know that I always look forward to your comments (and have now been doing so for more than 9 years)! ❤ I definitely recommend this island to you and Paul. I think that you would both love it. I’d be happy to go there with the two of you — it is such a magical spot!

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  1. You certainly live in a “wonder”ful part of the world Donna – so much diversity and so much beauty. I completely understand how a walk through the forest like this can inspire awe and wonder – thanks for sharing it with the rest of us. x

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  2. Hi Donna, a marvelous post. I always experience wonder when I go to game reserves. On my current trip abroad there has been much to wonder at – Westminster Abbey, Seven Sisters near Brighton, Stonehenge. The Roman Bath House and so much wonderful art.

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    1. Hi, Robbie – Your current trip abroad sounds fabulous. I look forward to reading about it and seeing your photos. I’ve been to (and loved) Westminster Abbey and The Roman Bath House but not yet to Stonehenge. It is definitely on my list! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi, Wayne – Thank you for reading, commenting and subscribing. I’ve continually have heard so much about your blog and have long been meaning to check it out. I visited and subscribed last night and it was all the great things friends had told me about (and more). I was also to delighted to see the numerous blog friends that we have in common. Your photography is stunning..
      And yes to forest bathing whenever I can sneak it in!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. What a fabulous post for this month’s wellness linkup Donna! You’ve summed up the feelings of walking in the forest or anywhere we experience awe and wonder, so well! It’s something we all need to keep in mind.

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    1. Hi, Debbie – Inspiration for awe and wonder is all around us. The difficulty remains to step away from the noise, busyness, distractions and must-dos all around us. Easier said than done. Thinking of you and hope that all is well.

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  4. A wellness challenge! I like that idea. You ask when I last felt a sense of wonder. It’d be when I realized that a new plant of Shasta daisies, that I’d popped into the garden on a lark, were flourishing. I smiled and thought of the saying “bloom where you’re planted” realizing it is a truism after all!

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    1. Hi, Ally – Not being a gardner (understatement here), I needed to look up the term ‘Shasta daisies.’ I continue to learn a great deal from blogging. 😀 “Bloom where you’re planted” is indeed a truism, and an excellent mantra!

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  5. Wonder is one of the most awesome feelings in the spectrum. It would make a great WOTY! 🙂

    I experience a lot of wonder – sometimes in a good sense and sometimes in a bad one. In which case it’s more like “surprise.” But each time I experience wonder at a marvelous natural sight, it makes me happy and it makes me realize why I love and live this particular lifestyle. It holds me over and helps me through the next (negative) challenge. Because it’s the wonders in the world and the wonders in our lives that keep us going.

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    1. Hi, Liesbet – This is such a beautifully expressed comment. You should be a writer — wait, you are! (Speaking of which, your next book?)
      Wonder truly does keep us going and is all around us — often in the most unexpected places. While I’ve been sitting in our living room blogging, I looked up and noticed a cat quietly sitting on our patio table staring inside at me. Two being experiencing wonder at the exact same place and time, but with a totally different perspective! ❤

      Liked by 2 people

  6. Hi Donna, Meares Island looks beautiful. I’d love to go there. I last experienced wonder a couple of days ago when I visited Toronto’s Kew Gardens and a red oak tree that’s about 200 years old. I’ve seen much older trees elsewhere but this tree has survived and thrived in the biggest urban centre in Canada. When I travel in Canada or abroad, there has been a lot to wonder at. I’m drawn to travel for the moments of awe and wonder and the health benefits that you wrote about. Thank you for sharing.

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  7. You’re right about a sense of wonder, Donna! Just reading your post, your reflection on your hiking trip and your photos gave me a calm and refreshing feeling. We just came back from Italy, visiting Rome, Florence and Venice. Regardless of the heavy tourists, I was in awe of how the historic buildings are kept with newer buildings built around them instead of flattering them to build the new. The new generations can see the history, the human roots, the way people were. The connection gives meaning to our existence. Thank you for the beautiful post and photos.

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    1. Hi, Miriam – I love Europe, especially Italy. I was last in Rome in 2019, last in Florence in 1973 and I’ve not yet been to Venice. It is definitely time for me to update those last two places on this list. I wholeheartedly agree with you that connection gives meaning to our existence.

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  8. Those giant trees are magnificent! Appropriate for awe and wonder.

    On the edge of the woods, my own backyard, cool and green with the fluttering beauty of birds, fills me with wonder. So lucky to be here.

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  9. I have a smile on my face trying to imagine myself standing next to you on some of these photos . . . what awe and feeling of utter peace to stand there and admire the magic which can be found in our world. Cortisol levels plummeting .. . how many of us realize the importance of mind-body issues in our health and well-being . . . thanks 🙂 !

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  10. The big trees and their long lives always leave me in awe and wonder!

    Our recent trip to the Canadian Rockies was also wondrous. The mountains are my home, but they always inspire me and make me glad to be alive.

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    1. Hi, Eilene – I did not remotely grow up near mountains. Although I have lived near the mountain and ocean for the past ten years, they never EVER fail to amaze me. I’m glad that you had a great trip to the Canadian Rockies. I love it there!

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  11. Hi Donna. I loved reading your words and your photos exude calm. Time in nature is my time to reset. It never fails to ground me in what’s important. I had a ‘wonder’ moment today. While out walking with Oscar I came across a tiny little clump of daffodils. It was the first daffodils of the season and very early, so I thought they were very precious.

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  12. What an uplifting awe-inspiring post. There are so many great points about what nature can be to us. We can find awe and be inspired in a variety of settings, but I must say that looks like a stellar trip!!

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  13. Wonder and awe? Frequently as we drove through north Wales and in the north of Scotland. Jaw-dropping, no words to describe awe-some scenery.

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  14. That is such a beautiful forest and I can imagine it triggers the feeling of wonder. I often experience it when I walk in nature, especially when it’s calm and with less traffic (even on small country roads the traffic can be quite intense here). Also last year when we hiked in Italy and the fog came on while we were in the forest on the mountain. It was both a bit scary and wondrous and atmospheric.

    Being in nature truly creates a sense of calm and is an important part of wellness.

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  15. Donna, your pictures brought back memories of the family trip to Tofino last summer, including a hotspring cove trip. Now in my 7th decade, I feel somewhat jaded yet Nature never fails to trigger wonder in me. It’s the counterbalance to technology & politics & world news. Just the other night, I sat on the porch, watching & listening to a storm over the river hills. As a nurse, birth & death inspires wonder. I experienced the wonder of transition last Aug when I was with mom as she crossed over. Today, I’ll putter in the garden & marvel at the growth there.

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  16. Donna,

    The pictures you shared were beautiful and conveyed a sense of wonder that was very relaxing. I live in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and see them every day. Nevertheless, hiking or driving through them is always a period filled with wonder. I’m sharing a trip over one of our highest peaks I made last week. I hope you don’t mind. Have a great week! Joe

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    1. Hi, Joe – Thank you so much for sharing that photo. It is absolutely stunning. Living at the foothills of a great mountain range would certainly be a cause for regular awe and wonder. I hope that all is well for you, Helen, Mortimer and family.

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  17. Donna, you live in a beautiful part of the world. Walks like this rejuvenate both body and soul. My most recent ‘wonder and awe’ moment was while riding the train from Verona to Stuttgart. Brenner’s pass was beyond my capacity to describe, and shooting photos through the train window didn’t do the experience justice. Awe-inspiring nevertheless.

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  18. Hi Donna a great point that you have raised in sharing that Wonder can have health benefits. Walking in nature and just taking in the awesome views and taking time to wonder and appreciate would be so good for the soul and mental health. A perfect post for the halfway mark in the year when we are all starting to perhaps tire a little because life is too busy. Wonder really is Wellness Reimagined. Thanks for co-hosting and sharing your wisdom. xx

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    1. Hi, Sue – I am still in awe and wonder that we are half-way through 2025. Seriously, how did that happen?!
      I agree that taking the time to stop in awe and wonder helps us to catch our breaths when life speeds up.
      Sending warm hugs your way!

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  19. Hi Donna, I really enjoyed this post. I truly believe that wonder, awe, and curiosity are the keys to living a fulfilled life. And I agree that the shared experience of seeing something amazing makes it even better. Great subject!

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  20. You so beautifully captured the essence of wonder through your words and photos, Donna! During my career as a primary teacher, I experienced the wonder my students expressed each and every day and that was such a gift to see the world through their eyes and their excitement! My students taught me so much about life and the wonders all around us!

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  21. Hi Donna, A wonderful post! Great information as to the ‘why’ relationships and nature contribute to our long-term wellness and longevity. I love how you have woven the amazing photos of friends and the west coast into your story. Thank you for sharing. 💕 Erica

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