Micro-Dosing Mindfulness: Tapping into The Power of Awe with Michael Amster MD
Original Air Date Wednesday, March 8, 2023
For those who suffer from chronic pain, depression, or burn-out many physicians turn to pharmaceuticals as treatment. While pharmaceuticals may offer the temporary relief of symptoms, most have unpleasant side effects and never treat the root cause of an illness.
Researchers are discovering that mindfulness and meditation practices are important factors in improving physical and mental health for complete wellness. To explore the awe-mazing possibilities of new treatment methods, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with author, physician, and awe researcher, Michael Amster about the benefits of micro-dosing mindfulness. Michael’s book, The Power of AWE: Overcoming Burnout & Anxiety, Ease Chronic Pain, Find Clarity & Purpose — In Less Than 1 Minute Per Day, contains a quick and easy method for tapping into awe. Micahel shares his research on the impact of experiencing awe, and details studies that prove that awe is a prosocial emotion that offers mental and physical benefits to those who practice it.
Michael Amster MD — Micro-Dosing Mindfulness:
- The elemental definition of awe. [2:12]
- Michael coined the term Micro-Dosing Mindfulness after a panic attack led him down the path of mindfulness and meditation. [5:14]
- The Power of AWE book includes a 3-step A.W.E. practice and 30 extended practices for experiencing awe daily. [10:38]
- Being in a state of awe offers mental and physical benefits for ourselves and those around us. [15:57]
- In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, the A.W.E. method was proven to decrease depression by 35% in professional healthcare workers. [17:34]
- Michael explains how the A.W.E. method has a profound impact on long-term chronic pain and mindfulness. [19:38]
- Awe connects us to others, makes us feel better, and contributes to the greater good of all life on earth. [22:06]
Michael Amster, MD, is a physician and awe researcher, writer, and teacher at the UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center. With twenty years as a pain management specialist, he is currently the founding director of the pain management department at Santa Cruz Community
Health. A practitioner of meditation for over thirty years, he is also a certified yoga and meditation teacher. He splits his time between clinical work, research on awe, teaching mindfulness, and leading awe-inspiring retreats around the world.
Book: The Power of AWE: Overcoming Burnout & Anxiety, Ease Chronic Pain, Find Clarity & Purpose — In Less Than 1 Minute Per Day
The Power of AWE
@ThePowerofAWE on Twitter
The Power of AWE on Facebook
@thepowerofawebook on Instagram
@thepowerofawe on TikTok
This podcast episode of Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio about mindfulness and The Power of Awe is sponsored by:
OUAI — Do you need a self-care reset for spring? When our locks need a little extra TLC, OUAI’s scalp serum is a leave-in product that hydrates and balances the scalp. Good hair is more than just good styling, visit theouai.com and use code HH to get 15% off of your entire purchase.
Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now?
H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day.
“The A.W.E. method is kind of like an old-fashioned gratitude practice but on steroids. Click To Tweet “Awe is the most powerful of all emotions. Click To Tweet“We can learn to experience awe in the ordinary.” @thepowerofawe on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet “I don’t want someone having an ‘awegasm’ while they are driving.” @thepowerofawe on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet“Awe is a prosocial emotion. When we have moments of awe we become more kind, more thoughtful, and generous.” @thepowerofawe on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet“In studies, the A.W.E. method decreased depression.” @thepowerofawe on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet “In about a minute a day, people were having about a 35% reduction in depression symptoms.” @thepowerofawe on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet“The more times you microdose awe throughout your day the more benefit you have.” @thepowerofawe on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet“Awe is contagious.” @thepowerofawe on @HHTalkRadio Click To Tweet
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