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JANUARY 2025

How wonder can help you reach your goals

Do you imagine a life where you feel more energized, more confident and more connected? Experiencing wonder — for example, watching a beautiful sunset — can help jumpstart an improvement in your emotional well-being so you can move toward these or other personal goals. 

Finding wonder in your everyday life is a skill you can develop. The first step is to be mindful and present to the world around you. Need help learning how? Turn to Resources for Living (RFL). You can access free mindfulness digital tools or take advantage of a new benefit, free and confidential well-being coaching.

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How wonder works

Research finds that experiencing wonder, or awe, a few times a week can calm down the nervous system and decrease negative thinking. It can also trigger the release of oxytocin, the “love hormone” that promotes trust and bonding.¹ People who experience awe reported feeling greater life satisfaction and improved well-being.²

Four ways to tap into wonder

Try these activities to bring the positive effects of wonder into your life. 

Take an “awe walk.”

Pick someplace you’ve never been or imagine you’re walking in a familiar place for the first time. Turn off your phone, take a few deep breaths and tune into your senses. You may find what you notice — the perfect snowflake, a bird’s melodic chirping — gives you a sense of peace and connection.

Look for moments of kindness.

Pay attention to the people around you. Catch them doing good, such as giving up their seat on a bus. Reading or watching videos about inspiring people can also trigger awe.

Listen to music that moves you.

You know the songs — the ones that send shivers down your spine or give you goosebumps. This music can take you out of yourself and lessen stress and negative emotions.

Be open to what’s possible.

Get out of your comfort zone. Seek opportunities for growth and change. Then be awed by what you can accomplish.

A great way to make this happen is to work with an RFL well-being coach. You can have as many free and confidential sessions as you’d like to help you meet whatever goal you want to achieve.

Use your sessions to:

• Take on a new challenge, such as running your first 10K or half-marathon
• Develop empowering habits, such as effective time management
• Build relationships skills, such as improving communication and social skills

Get started by visiting RFL.com/Costco or calling 833-721-2320 (TTY: 711). 

Take time to smell the roses and reach for the stars. And remember, your Costco benefits are there to back you up.

¹The New York Times. How a bit of awe can improve your health.
²The Washington Post. Why it is awesome that your brain can experience awe.

Sources:
The New York Times. This kind of walk is much more than a workout.
Sage Journals. Awe as a pathway to mental and physical health.