NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- Sir David Attenborough celebrates his 100th birthday today, making him one of fewer than 0.03 percent of people alive to reach that milestone. Licensed clinical psychologist and author Dr. Patricia A. Farrell says the timing is no coincidence—and that the science behind Attenborough's legendary curiosity and sense of awe may hold real lessons for all of us.
In a new article published today on her Patreon platform, Dr. Farrell Unplugged, Dr. Farrell examines a growing body of research showing that experiencing awe—those moments when something stops you cold because it is too beautiful, too vast, or too astonishing to process—produces measurable changes in the body that may slow aging, reduce inflammation, lower stress hormones, and even predict survival rates in older adults.
"Awe is not just a pleasant feeling," says Dr. Farrell. "Research from UC Berkeley shows that people who regularly experience awe have lower levels of inflammatory markers in their blood. A 2023 diary study found 20 percent less stress on days when people felt awe. UCSF researchers found that simple weekly 'awe walks' significantly improved emotional well-being in older adults. And separate longevity research shows that curious people—the people who keep asking questions about the world—survive longer. Attenborough has lived all of this research, every single day of his career."
The article draws on eight peer-reviewed and professional sources to explore what awe does to the nervous system, how curiosity protects aging brains, and how anyone can build more awe into daily life, starting with something as simple as a 15-minute walk with fresh eyes.
Dr. Farrell, who publishes fiction under the pen name P.A. Farrell, brings her background in clinical psychology to bear on topics that intersect science and everyday human experience. Her Patreon, Dr. Farrell Unplugged, delivers original analysis on neuroscience, psychology, and wellness for general readers.
"We don't have to wait for a grand experience," Dr. Farrell writes in the article. "The world is astonishing. You are allowed to be astonished by it. In fact, your health may depend on it."
The full article, "Stopped in Your Tracks: The Science of Awe and Why Your Life Depends on It," is available now on Dr. Farrell's Patreon at patreon.com/drfarrellunplugged.
About Dr. Patricia A. Farrell
Dr. Patricia A. Farrell is a licensed clinical psychologist, author, and blogger based in the New York metropolitan area. She publishes nonfiction and wellness content as Dr. Patricia A. Farrell and fiction as P.A. Farrell. Her Patreon platform, Dr. Farrell Unplugged, covers psychology, neuroscience, and human behavior for a broad public audience. Her books are available on Amazon and through major library services.
Media Contact:
Dr. Patricia A. Farrell
New York, New York
Patreon: patreon.com/drfarrellunplugged
drfarrell22@gmail.com