What can the solar eclipse teach us about creating a sense of ‘us’ and what does it have to do with pensions?

A recent BBC article caught our attention. It looks at the science of awe, that feeling of wonder we experience when confronted by something so vast or extraordinary that, for a moment, we feel small in comparison.

And there’s something fascinating about what happens next.

Research shows that this awe can quieten our focus on ourselves, where the boundaries between ‘me’ and ‘you’ begin to soften, and people report feeling closer to the people around them and more connected to their community. 

A solar eclipse is the ultimate example. And even though not quite so interesting (believe it or not), there’s a lesson here for pension engagement.

People feel greater connection when they’re reminded they’re part of something bigger than themselves. But pensions can often feel deeply individual.

Yet, there’s also a collective story, where a community of members, all at different stages, are sharing the same bigger journey. 

Perhaps, creating moments that bring that shared experience to the surface could help turn ‘my pension’ into something that feels a little more like ‘our story’ – deepening our own individual connection.

Read the article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20240403-how-solar-eclipse-2024-affects-the-brain-and-brings-people-together