Savoring and well-being: Mapping the cognitive-emotional terrain of the happy mind

Abstract

We assert that the happy mind has learned to use savoring to cultivate well-being. After explicating the concept of savoring and examining variables that predict savoring ability and the use of specific savoring strategies, we review theoretical and empirical support for the notion that savoring promotes positive psychological functioning. We conclude by reminding theorists and researchers that: (a) savoring is distinct from happiness and enjoyment; and (b) two commonly used measures of savoring-namely, retrospective enjoyment and time spent in pleasurable activity-fail to directly capture the conscious awareness of ongoing positive feelings that is the critical essence of savoring.