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The Secret to Ageing Well, How Awe and Wonder Can Maximise Health

25th October 2024

There is a prevailing myth about ageing: that growing older inevitably means losing enjoyment in life, vitality and a sense of spirit and adventure, but what if the opposite were in fact true? What if, by challenging the common misconceptions around ageing and coming from living with a sense of excitement and wonder, you could in fact turn the tide on time?


Dr Sam Watts, MCMA, Dip Ayu, MSc, BSc (Hons) PhD of Mind Body Medical and a facilitator at Goodwood’s Active Longevity Retreat shares what he learned about the secrets of youth from a 98-year-old Greek woman and how awe and curiosity can help you keep younger for longer. 

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Longevity Retreat at Goodwood Health..Client: Goodwood Health..Picture date: Wednesday October 18, 2023..Photograph by Christopher Ison ©.07544044177.chris@christopherison.com.www.christopherison.com..IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING IMAGE LICENCING FOR THIS PHOTOGRAPH: This image is supplied to the client under the terms previously agree. No sales are permitted unless expressly agreed in writing by the photographer. Image licence is for below the line only. No out of home use without acquiring an extended image licence.

Dr Sam Watts, facilitator at Goodwood’s Active Longevity Retreat says that there are many misconceptions about ageing, “The status quo says that as we age, we lose our enjoyment in life, our vitality, and our vivaciousness, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Maintaining a sense of awe, of excitement, wanting to get up in the morning, get out and get living is correlated to a whole raft of improvements in physiological health, immunological health, and quality of life. All those things together conspire to help us to live longer, enjoying better health and greater vitality.”

Last summer, Dr Watts holidayed on the Greek island of Crete, where he had the privilege of meeting a super fit, extremely healthy 98-year-old woman. He says, “I asked her if she had one piece of advice to help others who want to thrive into later years, what that would be? 

I expected her to give me dietary advice about, say, good red wine or olive oil, but she came back to me instantly and said that she lives her life through the eyes of a child and that is the key to her longevity. She lives with excitement, awe, wonder and enthusiasm.”

This simple yet profound piece of advice is backed by clinical research. Studies have shown that cultivating a sense of awe can lead to significant improvements in overall wellbeing. Awe stimulates the release of positive hormones, reduces stress, and boosts the immune system, all of which are crucial for maintaining health in later life.

The Science of Awe and Vitality

Awe has been shown to increase levels of interleukin-6, a molecule linked to reduced inflammation, while lowering cortisol levels, the stress hormone that negatively impacts longevity. By living with a sense of childlike wonder and excitement, we activate physiological processes that protect our health, boost our immune systems and promote longer, healthier lives.

Tips for Cultivating Awe in Everyday Life

If you’re searching for ways to implement Dr Watts’ advice and infuse more awe into your daily life, consider these simple practices:

Explore new experiences

Whether it’s travelling to a new place, trying a new hobby, or simply walking a different route in your neighbourhood, exposing yourself to new experiences helps keep your mind sharp and curious.

Spend time in nature

Nature is a powerful source of awe. Take a walk in the park, watch a sunset, or spend time gardening to reconnect with the natural world.

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness and meditation can help you appreciate the present moment, fostering a sense of wonder in everyday activities.

Connect with others

Social connections, especially with younger generations, can help reignite a sense of awe and wonder in the world. Engage in conversations, learn from others and keep an open mind to trying new things.

Stay curious

Approach life with curiosity, always asking questions and seeking to understand more about the world around you. Read, learn, and engage with topics that excite you.

As Dr Watts points out, “Maintaining a sense of awe, of excitement, wanting to get up in the morning, get out and get living is correlated to a whole raft of improvements in physiological health, immunological health and quality of life.”

Living with vitality at any age is possible—and it starts with how we view the world.

Find out more about Goodwood's wellbeing experiences and ways to live well into later years at the Active Longevity Retreat, which takes place at The Goodwood Estate amongst the beautiful West Sussex countryside.

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