Latest news with #psychologists
Forbes
21 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
Wonder Machine: Will AI Reshape Our Ability To Experience Awe?
Mixed colorful aurora borealis dancing in the sky getty Standing before the vast night sky or witnessing a stunning piece of art, humans have long experienced awe — that grand emotion characterized by vastness and a need for accommodation. This complex psychological state, which researchers have shown to reduce stress, expand our sense of time, and foster connection with others, sits at the intersection of wonder and humility. But as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly sophisticated and ubiquitous, we face an intriguing question: How will AI reshape our capacity for awe? The stakes of this inquiry extend far beyond philosophical curiosity. Considering the wide range of benefits related to awe for the individual and the communities they belong to, it is a question with real world interest. From health and wellbeing to generosity, kindness and critical thinking the experience of awe can make us better and happier humans. Hence understanding if and how AI might influence this fundamental human experience becomes essential as we navigate an increasingly algorithmic world. To grasp AI's potential impact on awe, we must first understand what makes this emotion so distinctive. Awe emerges from encounters with vastness — whether physical, conceptual, or moral — that challenge our existing mental frameworks. The towering redwood that dwarfs our sense of scale, the mathematical proof that reveals hidden patterns in chaos, or the act of selfless courage that redefines our understanding of human nature all trigger this response. Dacher Keltner and Jonathan Haidt identified two core components of awe: perceived vastness and a need for accommodation — the mental adjustment required when encountering something that doesn't fit our existing schemas. Building on this framework, studies have revealed awe's remarkable effects. Research across five studies with over 2,000 participants found that awe can result in a diminishment of the individual self and its concerns, and increase prosocial behavior. Other research demonstrates that awe serves as a pathway to both mental and physical health, with benefits ranging from reduced inflammation to enhanced immune function. This emotional architecture evolved in environments where vastness was primarily physical or social. Our ancestors felt awe gazing at mountain ranges, contemplating the stars, or witnessing extraordinary human achievements. But AI introduces an entirely new category of vastness: computational and creative capabilities that can exceed human performance across increasingly broad domains. The neuroscience of awe reveals why this is so significant. Brain imaging studies show that awe experiences involve reduced default mode network activity — the brain network associated with self-referential thinking and rumination. This neurological shift helps explain why awe makes us feel connected to something larger than ourselves and why it can be so therapeutic for conditions like depression and anxiety. AI's potential to enhance human awe is profound and multifaceted. Consider how machine learning algorithms are already revealing hidden patterns in vast datasets, uncovering connections that would have remained invisible to human researchers for decades. The James Webb Space Telescope, guided by AI systems, delivers images of cosmic phenomena so spectacular that they routinely go viral, triggering collective experiences of awe across social media platforms. Paul Piff and his colleagues demonstrated that awe can result in a diminishment of the individual self and its concerns, and increase prosocial behavior. This finding suggests that AI-facilitated awe experiences could have broader social benefits, potentially making us more generous, cooperative, and connected to others. In creative domains, AI is generating art, music, and literature that challenges our assumptions about human uniqueness while simultaneously expanding the boundaries of aesthetic experience. When an AI system composes a piece of music that moves us to tears or creates visual art that stops us in our tracks, it doesn't diminish the awe — it redirects it. We find ourselves marveling not just at the creation, but at the vast computational processes that made it possible. Educational applications present perhaps the most promising avenue for AI-enhanced awe. Personalized learning systems can tailor complex scientific concepts to individual learners, making the vastness of quantum mechanics or the intricacies of protein folding more accessible and, consequently, more awe-inspiring. Virtual and augmented reality powered by AI can transport us to the surface of Mars or inside a living cell, creating experiences of vastness previously impossible. The democratization aspect cannot be overlooked. AI tools are making sophisticated analysis and creation accessible to millions who previously lacked the technical expertise or resources. A teenager with a smartphone can now engage with astronomical data, create complex visualizations, or compose symphonies — all potential triggers for profound awe experiences. Yet this technological amplification of awe comes with significant risks. The most immediate concern is habituation — the psychological tendency for repeated exposure to diminish emotional response. When AI can generate a breathtaking landscape image in seconds, when virtual reality can transport us to any conceivable environment, when algorithms can compose music tailored precisely to our emotional preferences, do we risk making the extraordinary ordinary? This concern extends beyond simple desensitization. There's a deeper question about the authenticity of AI-mediated awe experiences. When we feel wonder at an AI-generated sunset, are we responding to the image itself or to our projection of natural beauty onto an artificial creation? This distinction matters because traditional awe experiences often involve a sense of connection to something greater than ourselves — a connection that might be attenuated when we know the source is algorithmic rather than natural or human. The efficiency of AI systems poses another subtle threat. Awe often emerges from struggle — the effort required to understand a complex concept, the journey to reach a spectacular vista, or the years of practice needed to appreciate artistic mastery. When AI removes this effort, providing instant access to information and experiences, it might inadvertently undermine the conditions that make awe possible. Perhaps most concerning is the potential for AI to create what we might call "synthetic awe" — carefully engineered experiences designed to trigger the physiological and psychological markers of wonder without the underlying vastness that gives authentic awe its transformative power. Social media algorithms already exploit our psychological vulnerabilities to capture attention; it's not difficult to imagine similar techniques being applied to manufacture awe experiences for commercial or manipulative purposes. We might get numb to natural awe. Looking for ever more exciting, 'awesome' experiences we will be always hungry, never satiated. At the heart of this discussion lies a fundamental paradox. AI systems themselves represent a new form of vastness — their computational capabilities, the scope of their training data, and their emergent behaviors all exceed human comprehension in meaningful ways. Yet they are also, ultimately, human creations. This dual nature creates a unique category of awe experience that our evolutionary psychology wasn't designed to process. When we feel wonder at an AI system's capabilities, we're simultaneously marveling at human ingenuity and confronting something that transcends individual human understanding. This creates a feedback loop where AI becomes both the object of awe and the mediator of other awe experiences — a role that could fundamentally reshape how we relate to wonder itself. The relationship between AI and human awe need not be zero-sum. The key lies in thoughtful integration rather than wholesale replacement or rejection. We might preserve space for unmediated awe experiences — moments in nature, human achievements, or contemplative practices that remain free from algorithmic intervention. Simultaneously, we can embrace AI's capacity to reveal new forms of vastness and beauty that genuinely expand human experience. The future of human awe in an AI-dominated world will likely depend on our personal and collective choices about how we integrate these technologies into our lives. If we remain mindful of awe's psychological importance and actively cultivate experiences that preserve its transformative power — whether through AI assistance or in its absence — we might find that artificial experience extensions do not cause the death of wonder, but become amplifiers. The vast computational processes that power modern AI might themselves become new sources of authentic awe, expanding rather than contracting the boundaries of human experience. In this light, the question becomes not whether AI will affect our capacity for awe, but whether we'll have the wisdom to shape that influence toward human flourishing. The wonder machine is here — what matters now is how we choose to use it. As we navigate this new landscape, three practical principles can help preserve and enhance our capacity for wonder in an AI-infused environment: Aspire to meaning. Rather than consuming AI-generated content passively, actively seek experiences that connect to larger purposes and values. Use AI tools to explore questions that matter deeply to you — whether understanding climate change, creating art that expresses your inner world, or connecting with others across cultural divides. The key is intentionality: let meaning guide your engagement with AI rather than letting algorithmic suggestions dictate your experiences. Wonder daily. Deliberately cultivate moments of awe in your routine, both with and without AI assistance. This might mean taking time each morning to appreciate the complexity of weather patterns (perhaps enhanced by AI-generated visualizations), or simply pausing to feel gratitude for the vast networks of human cooperation that deliver your morning coffee. The practice of daily wonder builds resilience against habituation and keeps your capacity for awe well-exercised. Explore new territory. Regularly venture beyond your algorithmic comfort zone. If AI systems tend to reinforce your existing preferences, make conscious choices to encounter ideas, perspectives, and experiences that challenge your assumptions. This might mean using AI to translate poetry from unfamiliar cultures, diving into scientific fields outside your expertise, or engaging with philosophical questions that stretch your thinking. True awe often emerges at the edges of our understanding. By embracing these principles — aspiring to meaning, wondering daily, and exploring new territory — we can ensure that artificial intelligence becomes a tool for expanding rather than diminishing our capacity for the profound emotion that connects us to something greater than ourselves. In doing so, we honor both our technological achievements and our deepest human nature.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
Being Curious Might Help Keep Alzheimer's Disease At Bay: Study
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: A chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) family enjoys Christmas treats of flavoured pine ... More cones and frozen fruit at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, 23 December 2004. The Christmas gifts form part of Taronga's on-going behavioural enrichment programme, aimed at stimulating the animals' natural curiousity. AFP PHOTO/Torsten BLACKWOOD (Photo credit should read TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/AFP via Getty Images) The secret to maintaining your brain health and staying sharp as you age might just be cultivating your sense of curiosity, a recent study found. Being curious during old age could also help in preventing or at least off-setting Alzheimer's disease. 'Curiosity is broadly defined as a desire to learn, experience, or explore new information or environments. It is a motivating influence that drives us to participate in hobbies, pursue education, and travel to experience new things,' the authors wrote in the study. 'Trait curiosity, defined as people's stable tendency to actively seek knowledge and information, has been correlated with a variety of positive traits in everyday settings. For example, in educational settings, curiosity is related to rates of student question-asking and academic performance. Additionally, medical students with higher levels of curiosity report having deeper motives for studying and engaging in deeper study strategies when learning new information,' the authors added. Psychologists measure curiosity as a state, where feeling curious is just a momentary or fleeting experience and as a trait, where it is a feature of an individual's personality and way of life. During old age, curiosity is the main factor that motivates people to engage in formal learning such as taking classes for learning a new skill. And such stimulating activities help in maintaining the brain's cognitive abilities. In a press release, senior author of the study, Alan Castel, a psychologist at UCLA said: 'You see this in the context of lifelong learning: A lot of older adults will go back to take classes or pick up hobbies or engage in bird watching. I think it shows that this level of curiosity if maintained, can really keep us sharp as we age.' To further investigate how the two forms of curiosity work in adults, the researchers collected data from 1,218 participants between the ages of 20 and 84. They completed an online questionnaire that measured their levels of curiosity. Some of the questions they answered included: 'What is added to white sugar to make brown sugar? (answer: molasses) and what is the name of the biggest constellation in the sky? (answer: hydra)." The researchers then rated each participant's curiosity level on a scale of one to 10. 'Age does not have a uniform influence on curiosity; rather, we need to consider the multifaceted nature of this construct when discussing aging effects,' they noted. 'Curiosity subsumes different levels of psychological processes (e.g., emotional processes, reinforcement, learning, attention, appraisal, etc.), each of which would be impacted differently by age.' Prior research has found that younger adults tend to be more curious about learning new topics while older adults feel more motivated to continue expanding their existing knowledge. 'It is important to consider some of the ways that older adults may maintain curiosity other than via trait curiosity measures. Specifically, older adults may be selectively curious about things that have greater self-relevance or that are relevant to their prior knowledge, which may benefit them in specific contexts. For example, if an older adult is curious about gardening, they may be more likely to read gardening magazines, join a gardening group, or to learn a new gardening skill,' the researchers highlighted in their study published in the journal PLoS One in May 2025. 'Engaging with any of these activities can be beneficial for overall well-being and cognitive outcomes in older age, for example by fostering social connections and learning complex new skills. Thus, it may be important to recognize and encourage specific domains of curiosity for older adults, rather than simply focusing on measures of trait curiosity,' they added.
CNA
3 days ago
- Health
- CNA
Why your brain can't let go of unfinished tasks, even something as minor as a half-written email
Sometimes when I'm not working, I find that I still am – in my head. I could be at home, chilling on the sofa while watching an episode of The White Lotus, a TV series on HBO Max. But somewhere in the background of my brain, some quiet thoughts are gnawing at me: I haven't finished the legwork for my upcoming article. There are emails I need to reply to, and ideas I should jot down lest I forget about them before my next meeting. And it's not just work. The undone chores around my home sometimes whisper, too: the laundry that hasn't been folded, the dishes still in the sink, the text messages from friends I meant to reply to this morning. None of these tasks would be categorised as extremely urgent. Some aren't even that important. But in those pockets of rest, they surface again and again, making it hard to truly disengage from brain from my responsibilities and enjoy my leisure activity. It's as if my brain doesn't fully trust the idea of doing nothing or getting a complete rest. It seems that many of us carry the weight of unfinished tasks like invisible backpacks, even in our downtime. So why can't we let go of undone things, no matter how small they are? Why do work tasks cling to our minds long after we've logged off? Curious about whether something like this has been explored in psychology, I did some research and found that psychologists have a name for this – the Zeigarnik effect. It is our brain's tendency to keep reminding us about unfinished tasks more than those we've completed. That's why some things stay 'rent-free' in your mind, because they're not done yet. HOW DOES THE ZEIGARNIK EFFECT WORK? Elaborating on the Zeigarnik effect, psychologists I spoke to said that the human brain is like a tab-hoarding browser, so the moment something is unfinished, it keeps that tab open and blinking until something is done about it. This was first observed by Russian psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik in the 1920s, after she noticed that waiters could remember complex orders only while they were in progress, but forgot them after the bills were paid. Dr Geraldine Tan, director and principal psychologist of The Therapy Room, said the effect itself is not a huge issue, and it manifests even in everyday situations. 'Let's say you have a pot of water on the stove and you need to wait for it to boil before adding in the pasta. If you forget the water is boiling, it could be disastrous,' she said. 'So sometimes, these thoughts linger because there's an element of risk or consequence involved.' Even if it's not dangerous, Dr Tan said the brain 'parks' the thought, keeps it there until it is done, though some mental effort is required. "Like when you go to the supermarket, and you hear an aunty saying, 'Oh I haven't done this, I need to go home. I need to do this, I need to do that'. Often times, this sounds like a complaint, but it's just something she's repeating to herself so she can complete her unfinished tasks." However, with how fast-paced urban life is, these 'parked' thoughts sometimes get pushed aside by other priorities. Dr Tan explained that they do not disappear – they are just displaced, until something might trigger the memory again, forcing you to get back to the task eventually. Dr Ong Mian Li, founder and principal clinical psychologist of Lightfull Psychology and Consulting Practice, said one theory behind the Zeigarnik effect is that our brains evolved from prehistoric times to prioritise potential threats or risks, also known as loss aversion. Back then, unfinished business could mean danger, such as forgetting where a predator was, he added. 'So even today, your brain throws a mental tantrum when something's unresolved, even if it's just a half-written email ... it throws up a yellow or red light.' WHILE HELPFUL FOR LEARNING, IT CAN BE DRAINING With that lingering mental itch nudging you towards completing tasks, the psychologists said that the effect has upsides in learning and working, as it functions like a built-in reminder system to help us finish what we started. Dr Tan said this is especially helpful in learning, such as how young children learning to tell time often get stuck on how the minute and hour hands relate, so the information feels incomplete. "That sense of 'I still don't get this' drives you to revise, and that's productive. If the task feels incomplete, the brain pushes you to go back to it and complete the learning." In the workplace, Dr Tan said the same effect can drive preparation, like mentally rehearsing what to say in a meeting or revisiting a task list before work. 'It's useful, but only as long as you act on it. If you don't, the weight compounds. The effect lingers in the background, draining your energy.' Ms Eunice Lim, clinical psychologist at Heartscape Psychology, said that when this happens, it could contribute to fatigue, burnout, and negative self-beliefs around competence, especially in individuals with perfectionistic tendencies. People juggling multiple roles – work, caregiving, financial stress – often feel the Zeigarnik effect more intensely, she added. Tasks start to bleed into rest time and even joyful moments can feel muted because the mind is still stuck in 'unfinished' mode, Ms Lim explained. 'The mental strain of chronic incompletion can mimic hypervigilance, where the body stays on alert because it doesn't feel safe to rest. 'For some, this shows up as difficulty falling asleep, as their minds replay what they haven't completed, what they should've done, or what still hasn't been started,' she said, adding that in some cases, it may even lead to depersonalisation, where one feels numb or emotionally disconnected as a way to cope. Dr Tan added that this effect extends beyond short-term tasks, as long-term unmet goals, such as a dream or a goal you haven't moved on from for years, can also be problematic when they loop in your head. "This can go in a few directions: You resign yourself to thinking, 'I'll never do it', or you feel like you've failed, which can cause you to spiral downward. "Or, you finally decide, 'Okay, when am I going to do this?' Then you make a plan, even if it's for later," she said, adding that the bigger the goal, the more mental space it takes up. COPING MECHANISMS AND HOW TO USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE The good news is, there are simple tips and strategies you can adopt to mentally close the loop on tasks you are unable to finish right away. The psychologists advised getting things out of your head and onto a list, which will help declutter the mind, even if you're not acting on it yet. But lists alone aren't enough. Dr Tan of The Therapy Room said that you also need to convert thoughts into behaviour, which means acting on at least one item on your list. 'Start by reprioritising. Do the things you can do. Put a clear timeline to them – once they're done, they're done,' she said. 'After that, you'll realise that things aren't so bad. And for the rest, you can throw it out if it's unnecessary, resource yourself by getting help from others, or just get started on the task.' Heartscape Psychology's Ms Lim mentioned the 'one-minute rule': if a task takes under a minute to complete, do it immediately, as this helps close small loops and prevents build-up. She also said breaking big goals into small, actionable steps goes a long way, as a single goal can sometimes feel massive and overwhelming, thus leading to avoidance. 'For example, if you have a goal of switching out of a career you are unhappy in, try 'Listing three companies I am curious about on LinkedIn' or 'Speak to a friend in that industry I am interested in'.' Dr Ong from Lightfull Psychology also noted that the Zeigarnik effect can be used to our advantage – one simple way is to start a task and intentionally leave it midway before taking a break. 'That little tension pull? It'll motivate you to come back and finish it. Writers and creatives do this all the time,' he said, adding that this is the same psychological trick behind TV cliffhangers.' Another mindhack: Just tell yourself you're going to begin a task to gently nudge yourself into action, said Dr Ong. "Chances are, your brain won't let you rest until you come back to it. This is really helpful for procrastinators." Dr Ong noted that the Zeigarnik effect is more pronounced today than it was 10 to 15 years ago. Back then, most people had just one email inbox to manage. Now, he said: 'We have six inboxes, three messaging apps, and a smartwatch reminding you that you've only done 5,000 steps.' "It's not just about how many inboxes we have, it's the sense that we're never quite done. There's always one more notification, one more ping, one more thing we could be optimising. "The modern challenge isn't just about finishing things. It's about deciding what's worth finishing. And sometimes, the healthiest thing you can do is close a mental tab with a shrug and say, 'Not today, and that's okay'."
News.com.au
4 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
There's a silent epidemic threatening the lives of Aussies
Something sinister is afoot inside the minds of Australians, warn psychologists, but there are limited options when it comes to documenting its spread. According to research conducted between 2020 and 2022 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), more than two in five Australians aged 16–85 years have experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime, with one in five Australians experiencing a mental disorder in the 12 months preceding the study. One in four Australians will be affected by an anxiety disorder in their lifetime, but it's the suffering we don't yet have statistics for that has mental health experts sounding the alarm. 'For a person experiencing anxiety to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, the symptoms must meet a certain threshold,' explains psychologist Anoushka Dowling, adding that a collection of symptoms known as 'subclinical' or 'subthreshold' anxiety is also on the rise. 'For people with subclinical anxiety, the symptoms are similar but below the threshold for diagnosis,' she explains. 'They may experience frequent and persistent worry (about work or other everyday situations), restlessness, troubles sleeping, tension in the body and difficulty concentrating. Ultimately, subclinical anxiety doesn't significantly impact your life and daily functioning, for example you are still able to work, socialise, and carry out responsibilities, but it can still be intense.' A few studies have attempted to quantify the impact of subclinical anxiety in recent years, with one British study finding it to be 'a common, recurrent and impairing disease with verifiable morbidity that claims significant healthcare resources and as such should receive additional research and clinical attention.' Australia is in the grips of a mental health crisis, and people are struggling to know who to turn to, especially our younger generations. Can We Talk? is a News Corp awareness campaign, in partnership with Medibank, equipping Aussies with the skills needs to have the most important conversation of their life. Ms Dowling believes the reasons for the growing number of anxious Aussies are multifaceted. 'My clients are consistently reporting that cost of living pressures increase feelings of anxiety, which then leads to stress relating to income, job security and housing stability,' she explains. 'From a global perspective, increased natural disasters, global unrest, climate change and political unease create an undercurrent of anxiety that is exacerbated by time spent on social media and the greater connectivity with the global community at any and all hours of the day. When laid out like that, it is little wonder that anxiety is increasing in Australia, especially among young people.' Indeed, as with many mental health disorders and symptoms, our nation's young people appear to be the canaries down the coalmine, with research commissioned by health insurer Medibank finding that Gen Z is the least confident generation when it comes to managing their mental health, with two thirds of 18-30 year olds saying they would find it hard to tell older close family members they were having challenges. 'It's quite a confronting situation,' said Black Dog Institute executive director Sam Harvey, while Orygen executive director Professor Patrick McGorry called youth mental health 'Australia's national crisis.' When it comes to subclinical anxiety, says Dowling, there are actually a range of interventions we can make to try and prevent things becoming worse. 'One of the most important steps is to pay attention to your thoughts and your body and notice the feeling of anxiety,' she explains. 'What signs is your body giving you? Sleep disruption, muscle tightness, clenching jaw, inability to rest etc are all good clues. You can implement mindfulness or breathing techniques to support relaxation. Following this, practice self-care strategies, connect with your friends to talk through your worries, ensure your sleep, nutrition and routine is healthy, and reach out for support through a professional if possible as preventing your anxiety from progressing is key.' And while avoiding the distress caused by subclinical anxiety should be a priority, Dowling cautions that understanding anxiety and its role in our lives is also crucial. 'It is important to note that feeling anxious is a normal part of human life,' she says. 'Being mentally well doesn't mean that you won't experience feelings of anxiety, it just means that you can manage these feelings and stay within a healthy level of functioning. Mental wellbeing is about ensuring you have the social, emotional and psychological resources to manage periods of anxiety. The key is ensuring you have a combination of internal and external coping strategies that you can draw from when needed.' Dowling suggests strategies like mindfulness, relaxation, journalling, goal setting, connecting with friends and family, exercising, and engaging in hobbies for enjoyment can all form a good scaffolding for coping with anxiety of any kind. 'Building a good foundation means we can default back to a healthy space when anxiety arises,' she says.
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Fur-ever remembered: Demand grows for pet bereavement services in Malaysia as owners seek dignified farewells
KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 — As pet ownership rises in Malaysia, so too does the demand for pet bereavement services, with many owners seeking meaningful ways to honour their cherished companions. According to Standard Insights' Consumer Report Malaysia 2023, which surveyed over 1,000 Malaysians, 51.1 per cent reported owning pets, with 26.4 per cent of them housing multiple pets. This growing trend has driven the normalisation of pet bereavement services, once considered a niche offering. How much will it cost? For starters, a basic funeral package offered by Nirvana Asia Group in the Klang Valley starts at RM2,800 (as-need) or RM2,300 (pre-need). It includes pick-up services, disinfection, casket, flower arrangements, and disposal by burial or cremation. For those choosing cremation, columbarium niches range between RM5,000 and RM7,500, while burial plots, though currently unavailable, were priced with a one-time maintenance fee of RM2,000. A headstone carved in the likeness of one's beloved animal companion at the Pet Memorial Garden in Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih. — Picture courtesy of Nirvana Asia Nirvana Asia shared that more Malaysians are viewing pets as family members, and the company has developed its offerings to meet this emotional need. 'Psychologists now acknowledge that losing a pet can impact people as deeply as losing a loved one. Recognising this, we established the Pet Memorial Garden and funeral service packages to honour the special bond between owners and their pets,' the company said in an email to Malay Mail. A personalised farewell Smaller businesses, such as Piepie Pet Memorial (M) Sdn Bhd, focus on offering tailored services that allow pet owners to bid farewell in their own way. Ceremonies can include private goodbyes, religious readings, and mementos such as ash pendants or bracelets. Owners are also given the chance to clip their pet's fur and create a paw-print keepsake. A variety of smaller mementos to store a cremated pet's ashes are available for choosing. — Picture by Miera Zulyana Co-founder Kelly Yan said public awareness about pet bereavement has grown significantly in the past five years. 'What was once considered a luxury is now seen as an integral part of the grieving process,' Yan told Malay Mail. Among their offerings, The Journey package, priced between RM2,399 and RM2,999 depending on the pet's weight and urgency, remains a popular choice. Honouring a special bond The Pet Memorial Garden in Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih, spans 3.8 acres and is among the largest in the region. Opened in 2007, it houses memorial monuments, including one dedicated to a local animal activist. The Pet Memorial Garden in Nirvana Memorial Park, Semenyih, consists of burial plots, columbarium niches and a memorial monument dedicated to a local animal activist. — Picture courtesy Nirvana Asia Yan believes that the rise in pet bereavement services is driven by increased pet ownership, younger generations' emotional expressiveness, and social media's role in normalising grief. 'As the industry grows, I hope we continue to elevate how we talk about pet loss — not as an afterthought but as a meaningful chapter in the bond we share with our companions,' she added.
