How ‘The Overview Effect’ Can Make You Feel Alive Again—By A Psychologist
What stands out here is not a new treatment, but a shift in attention. The overview effect is best understood as a powerful psychological state that can temporarily loosen rigid self-focus and expand people’s sense of connection. That matters because meaning, belonging and perspective are all linked to wellbeing, even when the underlying mechanism is still being studied.
The evidence base is suggestive, but uneven. Some findings come from astronauts, which is compelling yet small-scale and hard to generalize. Other work draws on self-transcendence and awe in everyday settings, where associations with lower loneliness, better mood or more prosocial behaviour are plausible, but do not prove that awe itself caused those outcomes. People who already feel open, resilient or spiritually inclined may also be more likely to seek out awe.
There is also a practical distinction between fleeting uplift and lasting change. A moving landscape, music, or a virtual experience may create a “wow” response, but that moment alone may not change habits unless it is paired with reflection or action. In that sense, the value may lie less in chasing intensity and more in using awe to interrupt rumination, widen perspective and support healthier choices after the experience ends.
One useful takeaway is accessibility. The article suggests that extraordinary feelings do not require extraordinary circumstances. For health and wellbeing, the relevant question is not whether someone has had a cosmic revelation, but whether brief experiences of wonder can be woven into routines in a way that is realistic, safe and personally meaningful. That is a promising idea, but still one that deserves cautious interpretation.
1. Self-Transcendent Experiences
A 2020 study published in Acta Astronautica examined how the overview effect affected 39 space travelers. Researchers found that their perception of earth changed and they developed more humanistic qualities upon their return. “The Earth was viewed as a beautiful, fragile object to be treasured, and changes in this perception significantly correlated with a statement that suggested that the respondents became involved in environmental causes after returning home,” the researchers explain. A 2021 study highlights how the overview effect also enhances psychological well-being and self-transcendence, the ability to extend beyond one’s immediate needs and desires to experience a sense of connection with others, nature, the universe or a higher power. It involves a shift in focus from self-centeredness to a broader perspective that includes altruism, spirituality and the pursuit of meaning and purpose beyond oneself. Self-transcendence can also have positive mental health effects on the person themselves. A 2021 study found that higher levels of self-transcendence and an openness to change were associated with lower levels of depression and loneliness. Researchers suggest that this may be because focusing on others’ needs above your own can enhance empathy, compassion and connection to others, strengthening one’s sense of purpose and their interpersonal relationships. Research shows that self-transcendence can also encourage individuals to regulate negative emotional reactions such as anger during conflicts, further protecting their interpersonal connections. Additionally, a 2023 study found that experiencing self-transcendence can help a person endure personal suffering by enhancing positive emotions, allowing them to view their suffering as something they can overcome in the grand scheme of things and channeling their emotions into positive coping strategies such as being altruistic rather than negative ones such as engaging in substance abuse. So, self-transcendence may play a key role in cultivating resilience. Researchers of a 2021 study offer the following prompts to develop self-transcendence in the face of uncertainty:- Seek initially to stand back from the context and ask yourself how specifically you might contribute and be challenged in what you face?
- What positive life-oriented meaning might be found in this context?
- What personal development or actualizing of your potential does this situation ask of you? Are you in a circumstance where you are able and wish to be in service to others? How can you bring this about?
- In what way can you bring about your positive intent while also caring for the pressure and strain you may face?
- Are you willing to identify and engage with tasks or activities that balance your challenges and skills, and in the absorption in the work allow yourself to be in flow, learning and developing while you also give to others?
- How might you maintain your attention mindfully in your experiences, considering the needs of large-scale difficulties as well as the contribution that may be made in small acts cumulatively in working in this context?
- How willing are you to allow events to unfold in a way, where you relinquish control to something greater? How might you “trust the process”?
2. Awe-Inspiring Experiences
The overview effect elicits awe. A 2023 study found that experiencing awe has powerful effects on mental and physical health. Researchers describe how experiences in nature, spiritual contemplation, feeling moved by music, dance or using psychedelics can elicit awe, which in turn reduces the emphasis on one’s own needs, enhancing socially beneficial behavior, a sense of meaning and a person’s well-being. Additionally, a 2023 study published in The Journal of Positive Psychology found that experiencing awe can also spark inspiration, creativity and the ability to view one’s problems from a more helpful perspective. “Think of awe like a “wow” moment, something that makes your jaw drop and your eyes widen. When people feel a deep sense of awe, they often feel motivated to act. For instance, some might feel so amazed that they start believing in God. No matter where they’re from or how old they are, people tend to feel more inspired when they experience awe,” suggest co-authors Dr. Yuwan Dai and Dr. Tonglin Jiang. In social relationships, Original Postspi0000018" href="https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000018" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" shape="rect">research shows that awe can lower a person’s sense of relational entitlement, make them more generous and increase their ability to engage in ethical decision making. Experiencing awe can also impact physical well-being. A 2023 study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic found that experiencing awe can reduce stress and improve physical health symptoms such as pain. Although most of us may never travel to space, we can still capture the essence of this transformative experience here on Earth. You don’t need to leave the planet to create a more meaningful life; you simply need to open yourself up to the wonders around you. Curious whether you have experienced self-transcendence? Take this test to receive a science-backed answer: Ego Dissolution ScaleEnjoyed this article? Sign up for our newsletter to receive regular insights and stay connected.