{"id":9441,"date":"2026-03-25T23:36:33","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T23:36:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=9441"},"modified":"2026-03-25T23:36:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T23:36:33","slug":"how-experiencing-awe-changes-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=9441","title":{"rendered":"How Experiencing Awe Changes You"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"justify-start\">\n<nav class=\"align-left col-span-full mb-base\" data-pom-e2e-test-id=\"breadcrumbs\"\/>\n<p>In this new video series, researchers show how spending time in awe-inspiring places like Lake Tahoe can improve your well-being, happiness, connection, and more<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/p>\n<p class=\"fp-leadCaption py-tight text-left font-utility text-utility3-size leading-utility3-line-height text-secondary\">Lake Tahoe&#8217;s awe-inspiring views.<!-- --> (Photo: Visit Lake Tahoe)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-body\">\n<p>Published March 25, 2026 02:08PM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Awe. It\u2019s a feeling we all seek. It takes your breath away. It blows your mind. It makes you grateful to be alive and, according to new research, that\u2019s just the start. Experiencing awe, it turns out, has lasting and measurable benefits, according to a recent study by Dr. Paul Piff at the University of California, Irvine, which examined the effects of awe in one of the most awe-inspiring places in the world\u2014<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2285618&amp;s=2285616\">Lake Tahoe<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2735568\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"View\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1708\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2735568\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/250616-VLT-Hiking-1681-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/250616-VLT-Hiking-1681-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Enjoying the awe-inspiring view of Lake Tahoe.<\/span> (Photo: Visit Lake Tahoe)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The results were as astounding as the lake itself. After multiple studies involving over a thousand participants, Dr. Piff and his team found that the effects of awe included measurable improvements on overall well-being, contentment, connection to the world, and care for the environment. Whether people were on the hiking trail, along the lakeshore, on the water, or looking out from stunning viewpoints, their feelings of awe had lasting effects. \u201cOur study of awe showed focusing on an epic view for just two minutes can significantly increase happiness,\u201d Dr. Piff says.<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about this groundbreaking research in the three-part video series, \u201cBeyond Awestruck: The Scientific Search for Connection,\u201d and see below to discover ways to experience some of Lake Tahoe\u2019s most awe-inspiring places for yourself.<\/p>\n<h2><b>The Awe List<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>When Dr. Piff\u2019s team went looking for places to inspire awe, they had plenty of Tahoe gems to choose from, including these.<\/p>\n<h3><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2285622&amp;s=2285616\">Van Sickle State Park Trail<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>This easy-access escape features serene forest scenes and sprawling views of the lake. And your visit could do a lot more than fill an afternoon\u2014according to Dr. Piff\u2019s research, even two minutes in a forest setting produced mood changes. Bonus: From the park you can also access the Tahoe Rim Trail, a truly awe-inspiring trail that travels 165 miles around the whole lake.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2735575\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Van Sickle\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1596\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2735575\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tahoe_teaser-1_inline_5-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tahoe_teaser-1_inline_5-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Want to experience days of awe? Hike around the whole lake.<\/span>\u00a0(Photo: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2285624&amp;s=2285616\">Heavenly Gondola<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>One of Tahoe\u2019s most all-encompassing views is also the site where Dr. Piff\u2019s team collected extensive data on the effects of awe. And for good reason\u2014it\u2019s one of the best places to see Tahoe\u2019s towering mountains set against the lake\u2019s endless blue waters.<\/p>\n<h3><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2285626&amp;s=2285616\">Clearly Tahoe Kayak Experience<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>What better way to experience the clear blue waters of Lake Tahoe than on a clear glass kayak? Dr. Piff says watching his kids experience the awe of this one-of-a-kind experience made him appreciate the lake in a whole new way.<\/p>\n<h3><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2285628&amp;s=2285616\">Fallen Leaf Lake<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>The quieter shores of Fallen Leaf Lake give visitors the chance to experience the serenity of the mountains just a short drive from town. Awe can be found everywhere, from scenic camping spots to summit hikes and on the water itself.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2735571\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Fallen Leaf Lake\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1672\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2735571\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tahoe_teaser-1_inline_3-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tahoe_teaser-1_inline_3-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Fallen Leaf Lake offers a quiet refuge in any season.<\/span> (Photo: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2285632&amp;s=2285616\">Zephyr Cove Beach<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>This iconic Tahoe location is home to awe of all kinds, whether you\u2019re relaxing on the mile-long sandy beach or paddling along some of the lake\u2019s most rugged stretches of shoreline.<\/p>\n<h3><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2285634&amp;s=2285616\">Rubicon Trail<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>This path travels 8.2 miles along Tahoe\u2019s rugged shoreline, revealing jaw-dropping lake views along the way. Rubicon Point, an outcropping at the site of an old lighthouse, is a fitting place to take in the awe of Tahoe\u2019s past and present.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2735572\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Rubicon trail\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2735572\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tahoe_teaser-1_inline_4-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Tahoe_teaser-1_inline_4-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">The Rubicon Hiking Trail overlooks the sparkling blue waters of Lake Tahoe.<\/span> (Photo: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2285640&amp;s=2285616\">Timber Cove Marina<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Location, location, location. Timber Cove, situated on the South Shore, affords both sunrise and sunset views. Between the easy access, glorious lake views, and awe-inspiring light shows, this is a must-visit place to start or end the day.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><i>Lake Tahoe is a jaw-dropping, mind-blowing, awe-inducing experience. (And there is research to prove it.) Visit Lake Tahoe shares the wonder of this iconic alpine lake with the world and works passionately to preserve its grandeur and good times for endless generations. Explore things to do, places to stay and all the reasons to visit the South Shore of Lake Tahoe 365 days a year at <\/i><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2285644&amp;s=2285616\"><i>VisitLakeTahoe.com.<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- --><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/adventure-travel\/destinations\/north-america\/how-experiencing-awe-changes-you\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this new video series, researchers show how spending time in awe-inspiring places like Lake Tahoe can improve your well-being, happiness, connection, and more Lake Tahoe&#8217;s awe-inspiring views. (Photo: Visit Lake Tahoe) Published March 25, 2026 02:08PM Awe. It\u2019s a feeling we all seek. It takes your breath away. It blows your mind. It makes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9442,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-9441","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-wild-living"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9441","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=9441"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9441\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9442"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9441"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=9441"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9441"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}