While "awe" can be inspired by spirituality, acts of kindness, music, and art, research shows that nature is the most common source. Surveys in the U.S. found that people most often describe feeling awe while taking in sweeping natural landscapes.

Among nature's most powerful awe-inspiring moments are sunsets and sunrises. A 2023 study of more than 2,500 participants found these scenes consistently evoked some of the strongest feelings of awe across a range of natural environments. Beyond lifting our mood, experiencing a beautiful sunset may also enhance memory and improve information retention—an especially valuable benefit in today's distraction-filled, technology-driven world.