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Awe has been shown to promote well-being through various mechanisms (see Monroy & Keltner, 2023). In this research, we propose a novel perspective for the well-being benefits of awe: Awe fosters equanimity-a balanced state of mind toward all experiences of any valence-and we document how this works, namely, through temporal distancing. Across seven studies, using a combination of experiments, big data analytics, and intervention methods, we provide support for our hypotheses. In Studies 1-3, induced awe increased equanimity, indexed by a self-report scale (Study 1), a decrease in emotional reactivity (Study 2), and an unbiased behavioral approach to positive and negative experiences (Study 3). In Studies 4-6, awe increased equanimity via temporal distancing. This effect persisted beyond self-diminishment (i.e., feeling small and insignificant) and proved to be cross-culturally robust (Study 4). An analysis of almost 200,000 posts on social media (Study 5) revealed that the proposed mediation model manifested in ecologically rich contexts. Study 6 provided causal evidence for the mediation model. Finally, in a 5-day awe intervention (Study 7), awe increased psychological and physical well-being, with equanimity accounting for these benefits. Taken together, these findings reveal that awe cultivates a balanced state of mind by shifting one's temporal perspective on life events. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Nostalgia, a sentimental longing for one's past, as a buffer against psychological threats has been well-established across various domains. However, whether nostalgia could alleviate cyberbullying's adverse effects has never been investigated. We have conducted two studies (N = 471) to examine nostalgia as a buffer against cyberbullying victimization on social media. We found that people who have been cyberbullied more frequently reported a lower level of psychological well-being. Notably, they also reported more proneness to feel nostalgic, which led to a higher level of psychological well-being (Study 1). We complemented these findings with an experiment in which we simultaneously manipulated cyberbullying victimization and nostalgia and assessed the psychological well-being associated with being cyberbullied (Study 2). Nostalgia induction increased psychological well-being in the wake of cyberbullying victimization. Therefore, nostalgia is a psychological resource that can be harnessed to buffer cyberbullying. • Being cyberbullied was negatively related to psychological well-being (PWB). • Being cyberbullied was positively related to nostalgia. • Being cyberbullied and PWB relationship was strengthened when we controlled for nostalgia. • Nostalgia increased PWB in the wake of being cyberbullied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]