savoring

Savoring is the intentional process of attending to, appreciating, and prolonging positive experiences. It encompasses cognitive, sensory, and social elements that help individuals amplify enjoyment and improve memory of events. Savoring can occur before, during, and after an experience, influencing how intensely and how long the positive feelings endure.

Temporal modes include anticipatory savoring (looking forward to a pleasant event), present savoring (fully attending to the experience as it unfolds), and retrospective savoring (reflecting on it afterward). Practical strategies involve slowing down, focusing on sensory details, labeling emotions, sharing the experience with others, expressing gratitude, and creating small rituals or traditions that cue continued appreciation.

While commonly discussed in relation to food and drink, savoring applies to any positive experience—nature, music, personal achievements, social interaction, or moments of kindness. It can be cultivated through deliberate attention, memory encoding, and social support.

Research links savoring with greater positive affect, well-being, and resilience, and with more persistent happiness by reinforcing memories. It is not about delaying gratification or avoiding the present; rather it complements mindful engagement. Individual differences exist in how easily people savor, and cultural norms can shape savoring practices.