Savouring

Savouring

Dear Tacit,

I heard the term “savouring” the other day – can you explain what it means?

Signed: Wanting to Know About The Art of Savouring

Dear Wanting To Know About The Art Of Savouring,

The art of savoring refers to the practice of fully engaging with and appreciating an experience, object, or moment by being present and mindful. It’s about slowing down to take in all the details, feelings, and sensations of something (this can be anything – a meal, a conversation, a piece of music, or a beautiful landscape). The act of savoring requires a focus on the present, with the aim of extending and deepening one’s enjoyment.

Savoring is such an important aspect of our mental wellness.  Clients often hear me encourage them to learn how to “sit in the good stuff”.  It enhances our overall well-being, happiness, and life satisfaction by encouraging mindfulness and a deeper appreciation of positive experiences. Most of us are too quick to rush away from the feelings that accompany a successful, pleasant experience; looking instead at what comes next or focusing more on what might go wrong.

Savouring boosts happiness and gratitude by allowing us to focus more intensely on positive experiences, deepening the pleasure and joy we get from them. It also fosters a sense of gratitude (which heightens the chemical boost in our brain so that it does not just happen in the moment, but rather it repeats in the days and weeks afterward), making us more aware of the good things in life, which in turn enhances happiness.

It increases mindfulness by teaching us to live in the present moment. By slowing down and being focused on the current feelings/sensation/thought, we prevent our minds from being preoccupied with worries about the past or future. It can counteract negative emotions like anxiety, stress, worry, and depression. It shifts attention away from negativity and towards the good, helping to build emotional resilience.

Savouring also strengthens relationships because when we go thru the process of savouring experiences with our family or friends (either by sharing the moment as it is happening, or talking about it afterward), we deepen our relationships. This, in turn, deepens connection and emotional bonding.

Research tells us that people who learn to savour moments also experience increased life satisfaction.  By developing a habit of focusing on what’s good and meaningful in life, we can build a more optimistic and positive outlook. This habit can shift our overall mindset towards one of appreciation rather than dissatisfaction.

Savouring also lets us “stretch” our enjoyment familiarity, making moments feel fuller and more lasting.  This allows us to train our brain to be better prepared to recognize these positive feelings when they happen again in the future, in different ways.

The act of savouring combats hedonic adaptation, which is our human natural adaptation to positive experiences that can cause the pleasure from them to diminish over time (basically, the more they happen, the more we need to feel the same way). Savoring helps slow this process of “hedonic adaptation” by allowing us to continuously find joy in the same experiences, even after they’ve become familiar.

So how can we practice the art of savouring?

Be fully present in the moment of the experience, without distractions. This means paying attention to what’s happening around and within you (focus on flavors, sounds, or feelings).  Really engage your senses – taste food more deeply, hear the music more clearly, or feel the textures of your physical environment.  Take the time to linger on what you’re experiencing, resisting the urge to rush or multitask.

Make a conscious effort to recognize and value the beauty or meaning of the experience. This often involves gratitude for the moment.  Look back on a positive experience or moment and recall the pleasure it brought. Reflection helps extend the enjoyment.

The fine art of savoring can be applied to small daily moments or larger life events and is often seen as a way to enhance well-being and live more meaningful, joyful, and balanced lives.  I hope you (and all the readers) take some time to learn how to use this practice on a regular basis!

Take care!

Do you have a question you would like us to address? Please feel free to reach out to us at counsellors@tacitknows.com. Your answer will be provided confidentially. 

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