“Watching the coldplay concert healed me!” or “A trip to the mountains was all I needed to reclaim my peace”. We’ve all heard these comments from someone or the other and wondered as well what those events would have been like. Do these immersive experiences in reality have the magical power to heal us?
The answer lies in the ability of these experiences to tap into the various psychological and physiological mechanisms that contribute to feelings of restoration and well-being.
How do they do so?
Sensory engagement: The lighting, fireworks and music together provide multisensory stimulation that helps in creating a deeper connection with the environment. This can evoke strong positive emotions in us, and induce a sense of bliss. Similarly, the scenic landscapes, the smell of nature and the calming sounds can create an equally immersive experience.
Emotional Release and Catharsis: These experiences allow you to express freely, thereby providing an outlet for suppressed emotions. A Coldplay concert lets you dance, cry and feel so deeply with all the others around you, while a nature trip can bring back that much-needed solitude for some introspection.
The feeling of ‘Awe’: You have probably heard someone say “looking at those majestic peaks made me realise how small I and my problems are”. This comes from the feeling of ‘awe’ we experience during these immersive experiences, as they help in expanding our perception of the world beyond ourselves.
Physiological reset: Have you ever felt an emotional high right after dancing your heart out? That is your body’s natural mood boosters at play. Movement is strongly associated with mindfulness and it plays a significant role in regulating our moods. Dancing to music or simply taking a walk triggers the release of endorphins, uplifting our mood and helping us to stay present.
The duality of connection vs solitude: These experiences provide us with a sense of belonging and self-reflection. A shared euphoric moment at a concert can foster connection and belongingness, while activities like trekking allows us to experience a deep self-connection, an escape from the hustle of city life.
These factors contribute to the magical feeling that these events bring about. But do we always need to do something big in order to have an immersive experience? Absolutely not, even small day to day events or practices could bring about these experiences. Here’s how:
Rekindling old hobbies: Going back to those creative pursuits or hobbies that got lost in time. Finishing that incomplete painting, or finally signing up for that dance class.
Heart-to-heart with a friend: Having that long awaited conversation with your friend, just like old times!
Creating nostalgic moments: Savouring that candy you loved as a kid, listening to your favourite childhood songs, flipping through your old photo album. These memories can evoke a comforting sense of familiarity.
Comforting physical touch: A long tight hug from your loved one or a long cuddle with your pet is all one needs sometimes to melt away their stress.
Experiences, whether grand or simple, have its own way of reminding us of the power of presence—whether it is singing out loud with a crowd at a concert or cherishing the little moments in our daily lives. By seeking out these experiences, we allow ourselves to grow, heal and lead meaningful lives.