Have you ever stepped out for a walk and felt completely captivated by the crisp winter air, the glow of a low winter sun, or the quiet beauty of frosted trees?
That spark of wonder you feel in those moments is the essence of an AWE walk, the practice of intentionally noticing the world around you and allowing it to inspire a sense of gratitude and amazement.
There’s no better time to try it than Boxing Day, when a slow, refreshing walk can help you reset after the busyness of Christmas Day.
What Exactly Is an AWE Walk?
An AWE walk is more than just getting some steps in. It’s about shifting into a mindful state where you fully appreciate the vastness, beauty, and intricacy of your surroundings.
It’s a mental and emotional practice as much as a physical one. Instead of walking with the goal of reaching a destination, an AWE walk encourages you to focus on curiosity, presence, and wonder. By embracing this mindset, even a simple Boxing Day stroll can become a restorative, uplifting experience.
The Science Behind Awe and Wellbeing
What's so special about an AWE walk? Research shows that getting outside and practising a 15 minute AWE walk, even just once a week, can have a profound impact on our wellbeing.
When we experience AWE, it shifts our attention away from ourselves and toward something greater. This kind of perspective change has been shown to:
A Boxing Day walk offers the perfect backdrop for awe: quieter streets, winter stillness, and a moment to breathe between festivities.
How to Turn Your Boxing Day Walk Into an AWE Walk
Here’s how to transform your post-Christmas stroll into something truly nourishing:
1. Be present
Start by grounding yourself in the present moment. Feel the cool air on your face, the crunch of leaves or frost beneath your feet, and the rhythm of your breath. Let the busyness of Christmas melt away.
2. Look with fresh eyes
Pretend you’re seeing your familiar winter surroundings for the first time.
Notice the shades of the winter sky, the way chimney smoke drifts into the air, the winter birdsong, or the intricate patterns of frost on branches or grass.
3. Embrace curiosity
Ask yourself questions and feel inspired by the complexity and beauty of even the simplest things around you.
4. Reflect on gratitude
When something catches your eye or warms your heart, pause for a moment.
Perhaps you feel gratitude for nature, for movement after a day of indulgence, or simply for the peace that winter brings. Allow that feeling to settle in. Let those feelings soak in.
Find AWE in the Everyday
AWE doesn’t require grand scenery or dramatic moments. It lives in the quiet magic of everyday life, a robin perched on a fence, a burst of colour in a winter sunrise, or the simple joy of walking with loved ones on Boxing Day.
Start small. Make awe a habit. You might just find your Boxing Day walk becomes one of the most uplifting moments of your festive season.