The Art of Savouring: Enhancing Positive Experiences in Everyday Life
Life is made up of moments – some fleeting, some forever etched in memory. From the first gaze into your baby’s eyes to the grandeur of nature’s beauty, these experiences are woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. Savouring, defined as the capacity to enhance positive experiences, plays a crucial role in how we perceive and appreciate the pleasures of life.
Research into savouring began in the 1980s, exploring the cognitive and behavioural mechanisms that process positive events and regulate positive feelings. For individuals living with chronic pain, the concept of savouring may seem unfamiliar or challenging. Pain can often dominate thoughts and emotions, making it difficult to focus on positive moments. However, incorporating savouring techniques can enrich one’s life experiences without minimizing the impact of pain.
Chronic pain can diminish attentional resources needed for savouring, affecting memory, processing speed, and overall engagement in positive experiences. Studies have shown that individuals with chronic pain may struggle to fully savour aesthetic or positive encounters, leading to a potential decline in the intensity and relevance of positive experiences. This highlights the importance of incorporating savouring strategies to enhance overall quality of life for individuals living with chronic pain.
Strategies for Savouring
Bryant and Veroff identified ten savouring strategies that individuals can employ to enhance positive experiences:
- Sharing with others
- Memory building
- Self-congratulation
- Sensory-perceptual sharpening
- Comparing
- Absorption
- Behavioral expression
- Temporal awareness
- Counting blessings
- Kill-joy thinking
However, the key component of savouring lies in deliberate attentional focus on ongoing positive feelings. Training the attention to notice and appreciate positive moments is essential for effective savouring. By engaging in activities that promote mindfulness and present-moment awareness, individuals can enhance their ability to savour everyday experiences.
Mindfulness and Savouring
Mindfulness practices play a crucial role in cultivating the skills necessary for savouring. By training the attention to focus on the present moment and directing it towards positive experiences, individuals can develop a greater appreciation for the joys of life. Mindfulness allows for a deeper connection with one’s sensory experiences and emotions, enhancing the ability to savour and fully engage with positive moments.
For those living with conditions such as ADHD or chronic pain, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for managing attention and promoting savouring in everyday life. By immersing oneself in the intricate details of sensory experiences and being fully present in the moment, individuals can expand their awareness and foster a sense of gratitude for the positive aspects of life.
Conclusion
Savouring is an art that can be cultivated and practiced in everyday life. By incorporating savouring strategies and mindfulness practices, individuals can enhance their ability to appreciate and enjoy positive experiences. Despite the challenges of chronic pain or other health conditions, the act of savouring can bring light and joy into even the most difficult moments. Take a moment today to savour the simple pleasures around you and embrace the beauty of life’s fleeting moments.
References:
- Bryant, F. B., and Veroff, J. (2007). Savoring: A new model of positive experience. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
- Bryant, F. B. (2003). Savoring Beliefs Inventory (SBI): A scale for measuring beliefs about savouring. Journal of Mental Health 12, 175–196.
- Bryant, F. B. (2021). Current Progress and Future Directions for Theory and Research on Savoring. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 771698.
- Garland, E. L. (2021). Mindful positive emotion regulation as a treatment for addiction: From hedonic pleasure to self-transcendent meaning. Current Opinions in Behavioral Sciences. 39, 168–177.
- Khera, T., & Rangasamy, V. (2021). Cognition and Pain: A Review. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 673962.
- Weigand, R., Moosmayer, A., & Jacobsen, T. (2021). Does self-reported chronic pain influence savoring of aesthetic experiences? PLoS ONE, 16(11), e0259198.
