S4 E2 Savoring + Appreciation: This is the Flavor That We Savor Up in Here, Neighbor!

• You have to have preconditions to fully savor a thing
  • Being able to connect to the present moment
  • Freedom from urgent responsibilities
  • Basic physical and psychological needs are covered
  • Presence of mindfulness and meta-awareness of positive experiences
• Differences between savoring and other similar concepts
  • Mindfulness
    Although savoring involves mindfulness, it is a much narrower process. Savoring involves intentionally attending to the present experience, specifically focusing on internal or external stimuli exclusively related to positive feelings.
  • Meditation
    Savoring also differs from meditation in that savoring does not aim to transcend the self, but to focus on pleasant feelings experienced by the self.
  • Daydreaming
  • Savoring differs from daydreaming since the latter implies detachment from the immediate environment; savoring implies drawing experiences from that environment.
  • Flow
    Although flow involves enjoyment of the activity in which people engage in, it entails much less conscious attention to the experience than savoring. Additionally, savoring does not necessarily involve challenge.
• Benefits of savoring life
  • Counterbalances unpleasant or stressful situations
  • It boosts your happiness even if you have fewer positive experiences
  • Predicts higher levels of life satisfaction, happiness, and perceived control
  • Can predict decreased depressive symptoms, anxiety, and social phobias
  • Influences satisfaction in long-distance relationships
  • Increases all levels in relationships and self-esteem in that relationship by being able to relate positive experiences
  • Helps with work-life balance
  • Promotes positive relationships when experiencing a wholehearted response to a narrated positive event by other people

https://positivepsychology.com/savoring/