The Magic of Savoring

You can enhance your happiness

There is a word that I love, savoring. I have always thought of it more when eating a delicious food. But learning how to savor is a happiness trick, as well. We live in a world that is going 100 miles an hour and we rarely notice the good things that happen to us, or the beauty in our surroundings.

There is a fun trick that can help us scan the world for the positive. And when we do, we notice more positive things. Have you ever bought a new car and suddenly you see that car everywhere you go?

Our brains have what is called the “reticular activating system (RAS) which is a group of cells at the base of your brain stem that sorts through the massive incoming information around us. This explains why when we buy a new car we suddenly see them everywhere.

This is why writing down three to five things a day that you are grateful for works to help your brain scan the world for more things to appreciate. So the same principle applies to savoring. Taking even 20 seconds to really appreciate something and actually feeling it in your body is even more powerful.

Another trick I like is getting into the habit of handing out awards every day. When you are on a walk hand out awards for the most adorable dog, the most beautiful flower, most majestic tree, happiest person. It doesn’t even matter, just spend some time noticing fun things!

When you are watching TV do the same thing! Best actor, cutest child, most exciting scene, best hair or costume! Make it fun. The best part is that when you make a habit of doing this simple thing it helps your brain start to scan the world for other fun, beautiful, or exciting things.

Some days I look for hearts on my walks. I find them in puddles, on the sidewalk, in leaves, the bark of trees, or rocks shaped like a heart. I usually take pictures of them and make a collage. That exercise made me realize how much we don’t see in the world. And also, how by training our brain to look for something specific, we actually can find it.

Science has now proven that forcing our brain to look for positive things makes us happier. Try it! Give out some awards this week and see how it makes you feel.

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