HOW TO SAVOUR…

Ahhh, Christmas. Time to revel in the company of your loved ones and bask in the delights of the season, right? Or do you find yourself fussing with the place settings instead of drinking in your family’s laughter?

‘When good things come around, people think they’ll automatically feel happy,’ says Fred Bryant, a social psychologist and co-author of the book Savoring. ‘But we don’t always react to these good things in a way that maximises their benefits.’

Enter the technique psychologists call ‘savouring’, a way to fully absorb life’s wonderful moments, large and small.

‘Through your thoughts and behaviour, you extend and intensify a good experience, extracting every morsel from it,’ says Fred.

The result? Not just more delightful moments, but a boost in overall happiness levels as well.

THE SWEET SPOT

‘Savouring gives you a bigger dose of positive emotion,’ notes Christine

Carter, author of The Sweet Spot: How To Find Your Groove At Home

And Work. ‘And positive emotions have been shown to bring our blood pressure down, reverse the stress response, and give us more access to the parts of our brains needed for creativity and problem-solving.’

Plus, a number of studies have linked positive emotions with a host of health benefits, from better blood sugar levels to greater longevity.

So now you know savouring could be great for you, how do you actually do it? The key is to be on alert for the nice things that happen during your day that you normally wouldn’t give a second thought to. When you notice something, pause and really soak up the moment. Involve all your senses as you delight, advises Christine.

Say you’re arranging a floral centrepiece or hanging up a festive wreath, linger in the moment to appreciate the intricate delicacy of the blossoms, breathe in the sweet freshness, run a thick leaf through your fingers. Pay attention to the pleasant emotions it evokes in you. Scan your body for the physical sensations happiness elicits – for instance, a spreading warmth in your chest. Extending the encounter for as long as possible will help to etch it more deeply into your long-term memory and create a stash of wonderful feelings you can draw on to see you through life’s challenges.

SPECIAL MOMENTS

‘The benefits of experiencing positive emotions are cumulative,’ says Christine. ‘A little hit is good, but more is better.’

Those once-a-year special moments on holidays are the perfect time to practise. So learn to savour the magic of the season with these easy techniques…

Make time to pause when something nice happens to give it your undivided attention. Engage all your senses and let the positive emotions wash over you.