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Have you ever gotten chills while taking in something truly incredible? Maybe it was seeing Les Mis on Broadway, or standing on the precipice of the Grand Canyon or listening to Handel’s “Messiah.” New research has found that these awe-induced positive emotions can actually help protect the body against damaging inflammation.

In two tests, researchers had over 200 young adults at UC Berkeley give tissue samples after asking them questions on what degree of positive emotions they’d felt on a given day. Those who had experienced better sensations overall, especially those who experienced awe, wonder and amazement, had the lowest levels of the cytokine Interleukin 6, which is a marker of inflammation in the body.

Cytokines are important players in the body, as they fight infection and disease. However, high levels over time lead to poor health and conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression and Alzheimer’s.

It’s commonly known in the medical community that tenets of a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, adequate sleep and exercise, can keep the immune system running as it should, but this study published in the journal Emotion, explores how when we’re struck speechless over nature, art and spirituality, our bodies seem to show decreased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Why does art, nature and spirituality affect us in this way? The scientists have a guess. According to Stellar, that feeling of awe is linked to curiosity and exploration - which is the exact opposite of the “behavioral responses to those found during inflammation, where individuals typically withdraw from others in their environment,” she explains.

Researchers can’t say for sure whether lower cytokines levels cause positive feelings, or the positive feelings cause lower levels, just that they seem to be linked. That said, it can’t hurt to take in a little culture at your local museum this weekend, get outside on a trail for some fresh winter air, pray, or meditate (like SELF cover girl Joan Smalls!). Your mind and body will thank you.


Image Credit: Getty