As we head into the darker days of fall and winter ― not to mention a stressful election cycle ― many of us will be looking for any meaningful way to boost our mood. Though there isn’t one formula for happiness, experts say there are small, actionable steps you can take to feel a little better, all while coping with negative situations in the world. Enter “savoring” — a therapeutic technique for increasing joy in your day-to-day life.
Essentially, savoring is when you take some extra time to relish a happy or calming moment you’re experiencing. The goal is to deepen the connection to that time and prolong the joy it brings, said Meghan Watson , the founder and clinical director of Bloom Psychology & Wellness in Toronto. This might include giving yourself an extra five minutes in the shower to do a hair mask, or taking a moment to eat lunch outside instead of at your desk.
“I like to think of savoring as just a practice of really attending to, appreciating and even extending your own positive emotional experience,” said Joseé Muldrew , a licensed professional counselor and the founder of The Looking Glass , a private therapy practice in Georgia. “Some people may have heard savoring associated before with savoring a meal,” Muldrew continued. “But it’s really a concept that’s recognized in the positive psychology space as a vehicle to heighten and then prolong experiences that generate more positive emotions, such as joy, gratitude, acceptance, plea.