Savoring Life

In the quiet corners of existence, where time slows to a gentle crawl, there lies an art form as ancient as life itself—the art of savoring. It is in these moments, often unnoticed, where the essence of life’s tapestry is woven with threads of fleeting joys and lingering reflections. To savor life is to embrace the symphony of experiences, both grand and minute, with a heart wide open to the beauty of the mundane and the majesty of the momentous. It is here, in the stillness of a middle-aged man lost in thought, that we find the profound truth: life, in all its ephemerality, is a canvas awaiting our appreciation.

What is Savoring Life?

Jessica Colman defines savoring as “a process that allows people to improve the frequency, intensity, and duration of the positive emotions they experience” (Colman, 2012. Kindle location: 538).

Savoring life is a fundamental concept in positive psychology, emphasizing the mindful appreciation and enjoyment of life’s pleasures and positive experiences. It encourages individuals to be fully present in moments of joy, enhancing overall well-being and psychological resilience. The practice of savoring involves cultivating awareness of the present moment, intentionally focusing on the positive aspects of life, and prolonging the emotional and sensory experiences associated with them. By doing so, individuals can derive deeper satisfaction and gratitude from their daily experiences, contributing to an overall sense of happiness and fulfillment.

Sometimes it is only the approaching of death that ignites a savoring of life. Rollo may laments, “for the first time I am savoring life. I realize, finally, that I am not immortal.” He then adds, “but what a tragedy that one waits until one is dying before savoring life!” (May, 1981, p. 107).

How to Savor Life

Incorporating savoring into daily life can be achieved through various techniques, such as mindfulness meditation, gratitude exercises, and conscious reflection on positive experiences. Additionally, keeping a savoring journal to record moments of joy and contentment can serve as a powerful reminder of life’s abundance and positivity.

Moreover, savoring life is not limited to extraordinary moments; it can be integrated into daily routines and simple activities. Whether it’s relishing a delicious meal, taking a leisurely walk in nature, or cherishing meaningful interactions with loved ones, the practice of savoring can enrich even the most routine aspects of life.

Benefits of Savoring Life

Research in positive psychology has highlighted the numerous benefits of savoring life. It has been linked to reduced levels of stress, increased resilience in the face of adversity, and improved overall psychological well-being. By actively savoring positive experiences, individuals can counteract the brain’s natural tendency to focus on negative aspects, leading to a more optimistic outlook and greater emotional balance.

Savoring life has a multitude of benefits that enhance our overall well-being. Here are some key advantages:

• Mindfulness: Savoring helps us to be present and mindful, allowing us to appreciate the positive experiences in our lives more deeply.
• Positive Emotions: It amplifies positive feelings, making them last longer and increasing the frequency of positive emotions.
• Well-being: Regularly savoring life is reported to enhance overall well-being, contributing to a happier and more fulfilled life.
• Mental Health: Savoring can protect against negative feelings such as hopelessness and depression, improving mental health.
• Physical Health: Engaging in savoring has been linked to better physical health outcomes.
• Relationships: It can strengthen relationships by sharing and celebrating positive experiences with others.
• Creativity: Savoring positive experiences can increase creativity in solving problems.

By intentionally focusing on and extending our positive experiences, we can build resilience against life’s challenges and cultivate a more joyful existence

Four Ways of Savoring Life

According to Martin E. P. Seligman, there are four types of savoring (Seligman, 2002). He lists these as basking, thanksgiving, marveling, and luxuriating.

Basking

Accepting praise and congratulations without shame is a vital aspect of well-being that involves recognizing and embracing one’s achievements and positive qualities. This concept is rooted in the understanding that receiving compliments is not just about good manners or social niceties; it’s about allowing oneself to fully experience and internalize positive feedback.

Here are some key points about this concept:

• Self-Worth: Accepting praise reinforces a healthy sense of self-worth. It requires acknowledging that one is deserving of positive recognition.
• Positive Affect: Compliments can contribute to positive affect, which is the experience of positive emotions. Accepting praise helps to nourish and sustain these feelings.
• Healthy Relationships: In relationships, accepting compliments can deepen bonds, as it shows openness to recognizing and appreciating each other’s qualities.
• Overcoming Insecurities: Many people struggle with accepting praise due to insecurities or a deep-seated belief that they are not worthy. Learning to accept compliments is often part of overcoming these barriers.
• Growth and Healing: For those who have experienced trauma or have a critical inner voice, accepting praise can be part of the healing process, helping to build a more positive self-image.
• Balance: It’s important to find a balance between humility and confidence. Accepting praise does not equate to arrogance; it’s about owning one’s strengths and contributions.

In essence, the ability to accept praise and congratulations without shame is about valuing oneself and one’s contributions. It’s a recognition that everyone has unique strengths and that acknowledging these strengths does not diminish others. It’s a step towards a more fulfilling and psychologically healthy life. 

Thanksgiving

Experiencing and giving gratitude is about acknowledging the goodness in our lives and the sources of that goodness, which often lie outside ourselves. It’s a recognition that life is a gift and that many benefits we enjoy come from the contributions of others. This recognition can profoundly impact our happiness and satisfaction with life.

Brené Brown interviewed thousands of people in her research, she explains, “without exception, every person I interviewed who described living a joyful life or who described themselves as joyful, actively practiced gratitude and attributed their joyfulness to their gratitude practice. Both joy and gratitude were described as spiritual practices that were bound to a belief in human interconnectedness and a power greater than us” (2010, Kindle location 1,256).

See Being Grateful for more on this topic

Marveling

Marveling, often associated with the emotion of awe, is the act of being filled with wonder, admiration, or astonishment. It’s the experience of being captivated by something extraordinary or remarkable. This emotion is typically elicited in the presence of something vast that challenges our understanding of the world, such as looking up at a starry night sky or witnessing the birth of a child.

Kirk Schneider opens his book Rediscovery of Awe with a powerful proclamation, “the awesomeness of life is the starting point for psychology. Any psychology worth its name must begin with this premise. By awesomeness, I mean first of all, mystery—incomprehensibility, and second of all, magnificence—bedazzlement. I am speaking of the brute awareness that we exist at all” (Schneider, 2004).

When we marvel at something, we may use other words to describe the experience, such as wonder, amazement, surprise, or transcendence. The most common sources of awe are other people and nature, but it can also be elicited by experiences like music, art, architecture, religious experiences, or even one’s own accomplishments.

Awe and marveling can be thought of as self-transcendent experiences. They shift our attention away from ourselves, make us feel like we are part of something greater than ourselves, and can make us more generous toward others. In this way, marveling at the world around us can be a deeply enriching and transformative experience.

See Experiencing Awe for more on this topic

Luxuriating

Delighting in the experience of the senses refers to the profound enjoyment and appreciation of life through our sensory perceptions. It’s about engaging and finding pleasure in what we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell. This concept emphasizes the importance of being present and fully experiencing the world around us.

Here are some aspects of this concept:

• Sight: Reveling in the visual beauty of nature, art, or everyday scenes.
• Sound: Finding joy in music, laughter, or even the quietness of a serene environment.
• Taste: Savoring the flavors of various foods and drinks, appreciating their complexity.
• Touch: Enjoying the sensation of different textures and temperatures, from a warm breeze to the softness of fabric.
• Smell: Taking pleasure in the scents that surround us, whether it’s fresh flowers or a delicious meal.

Michael Tompkins suggests that savoring is a nice way to end the day and prepare for sleep. he wrote, “in savoring, think through the good things about your day and hold them in your mind. Savor the taste of the delicious green apple you had with lunch. Savor the sound of the ball when you made solid contact with it during your tennis game that day.” Tompkin continues, “savor how good it felt to finish that project, or the sounds of the birds chirping on your walk to work that day. Savoring is a nice way to end your day and signal to your body that it’s time for sleep to come” (Tompkins, 2013. Kindle location: 2,295).

Delighting in our senses can lead to a deeper appreciation for life and can enhance our emotional well-being. Accordingly, it encourages us to live in the moment and to connect more intimately with our experiences and the world around us.

Psychology Concepts Related to Savoring Life

Savoring life is closely related to several concepts within psychology, particularly within the realm of positive psychology. Here are some key concepts:

• Mindfulness: Being fully present and engaged in the moment, which is essential for savoring experiences.
• Gratitude: Feeling thankful for the positive aspects of life, which enhances the ability to savor.
• Flow: A state of being completely absorbed in an activity, often leading to savoring the present moment.
• Positive Emotions: Experiencing and extending feelings like joy, contentment, and love, which are central to savoring.
• Meta-Awareness: Reflecting on one’s own thoughts and feelings, which is important for savoring past and future events.
• Coping: While savoring amplifies positive experiences, coping skills help manage negative ones. Both are important for psychological resilience.
• Anticipation: Looking forward to future pleasures, which is a form of savoring that can increase happiness.
• Reminiscence: Reflecting on past joys, which is another form of savoring that can boost mood and well-being.

These concepts contribute to the broader understanding of how individuals can enhance their enjoyment of life, savoring the glorious and magnificent experience of living. Accordingly, through these practices we foster a greater sense of well-being.

A Few Words by Psychology Fanatic

As we journey through the intricate tapestry of life, the practice of savoring stands as a beacon of light, guiding us to a richer, more vibrant existence. It is not merely a technique but a way of being, a philosophy that transforms fleeting moments into cherished memories. In the embrace of savoring, we find the strength to weather life’s storms and the grace to celebrate its triumphs. May we all learn to pause, breathe, and relish the beauty that life offers, for in these pauses, we discover the true essence of living. So let us carry forward the wisdom of savoring, making each day not just an act of survival, but a celebration of being.

Last Update: April 22, 2024

References:

Brown, Brené (2010). The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. ‎ Hazelden Publishing; 1st edition.

Colman, Jessica (2012). Optimal Functioning: A Positive Psychology Handbook.

May, Rollo (1981/1999). Freedom and Destiny. W. W. Norton & Company.

Schneider, Kirk (2004). Rediscovery of Awe: Splendor, Mystery and the Fluid Center of Life. Paragon House; 1st Edition.

Seligman, Martin E. P. (2002). Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment.‎ Free Press.

Tompkins, Michael A. (2013). Anxiety and Avoidance: A Universal Treatment for Anxiety, Panic, and Fear. ‎New Harbinger Publications.

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