Wednesday July 15th 2026
Local coach Kate Flory on her recent holiday to the Tatra Mountains near Zakopane
This article has been written by local coach Kate Flory
Have you ever stopped in your tracks by a spectacular sunset, hearing your child’s laughter, or the smell of honeysuckle on a summer evening? These brief moments of wonder do more than lift our mood, they can have a surprisingly powerful effect on our wellbeing.
A BBC article recently discussed the importance of the golden hours of sunrise and sunsets on your wellbeing. And how being witness to a natural awe-some event can help move your mind.
Awe has a remarkable way of interrupting our busy minds. When we’re caught in negative thoughts, worrying about yesterday or imagining tomorrow’s problems, a moment of wonder can gently pull us back into the present. Even a few seconds of noticing something beautiful can shift our perspective from negative to postive.
Researchers have found that awe can reduce our anxiety, as well as depression, boost our memory, creativity, and have a positive benefit on our sleep. When we stop to wonder at something that can make us lost for words or that takes our breath away, it changes us both mentally and physically.
As a busy mum and business owner, I know that don’t have time to do it all. The reality of getting up at 4.45 am in the morning to watch a sunrise or remembering to go outside at 9.45 pm to watch a sunset, is simply not going to happen. What I can do is set an intention to notice moments of awe throughout my day.
As a coach, I often encourage clients to work with setting intentions rather than focusing on goals. As an intention gives us something gentle to focus on without feeling we’ve failed if we forget. As I know I’m not likely to be regularly scheduling a sunrise or a sunset anytime soon, I can aim to simply notice moments that make me pause, smile or feel inwardly grateful.
Finding awe-inspiring moments in your life doesn’t have to come from walking on far- away white sandy beaches or climbing mountains. It can come from catching the scent of dogrose on an evening walk, seeing the first smile from your child / grandchild, watching your dog having it’s mad-half hour, tasting your favourite meal cooked by someone special, or watching someone you care about achieve something they’ve worked hard for.
These moments of awe are closer than we think. They may only last a few seconds, but they are a gentle reminder of what else life has to offer us.
So today, keep all your senses open and notice something that makes you stop, smile or quietly say wow. And if today doesn't offer you any awe-inspiring moments, then revisit a treasured memory that takes you back to when did.
Have an awe-some day!
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