Is it possible to have a chronic illness and still be living your best life? Conventional wisdom would suggest that you would be less likely to. If your strength levels are depleted, your energy is compromised, or in regularly physical discomfort, then your capacity to do the things you enjoy for a prolonged period is probably hampered. However, we have seen people with long term health conditions go on to great things, despite these factors, on more than one occasion. Of course, much will depend upon the nature of your illness, however, given the right mindset, morale, and management strategies, you may be able to get closer to living your best life than you think.

6 Ways Savouring Can Help You

Think about the last time you were caught up in an activity you enjoyed. Did your mind move on to thinking about the things you had to do or were you able to fully savour the experience?

Savouring is a psychological technique used to live more fully in the moment. It refocuses on utilising one’s thoughts to enhance the appreciation of positive experiences.

Psychological research has shown that the act of savouring can lead to enhancements in emotional wellbeing. This in turn has a positive impact on physical health. Studies have highlighted the link between improvements in mental health and chronic conditions.

There are many activities which you can savour. Typical examples include eating, resting, spending time in natural surroundings, exercising, listening to music, and interacting with other people. Now that we have defined savouring, let’s look at six specific ways it can help those with chronic illness conditions:

1. Capacity to Enjoy the Smaller Things

Developing the ability to savour your experiences enhances your capacity to enjoy less. This means that you will need a lot less in life to achieve a state of happiness. Not only will this make your life simpler and stress-free, but it can also benefit you financially as you are less likely to spend unnecessarily.

2. Optimism

Savouring will train your mind to find enjoyment more regularly. Consequently, you are more likely to feel good about both your present and future life. Over time you will become a more person.

3. Less Emotional Issues

Feeling optimistic will reduce negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Overall, you will find yourself in a calmer mental place.

4. Energy

Feeling more optimistic and reducing negative emotions leads to increases in energy. This will help you to feel more motivated when it comes to managing your illness and achieving future goals.

5. Physical Health

Enjoying your life and feeling fewer negative emotions will benefit your physical health. Even though it may alleviate your condition altogether, experiencing positive emotions has been linked to improvements in illnesses. At the very least, it can enhance your immune system, blood pressure and cardio-respiratory function. You are also likely to feel more motivated to engage in healthier habits.

6. Better Relationships

People prefer the company of those who feel relaxed and can enjoy their life. Attracting others will increase your exposure to positive interactions. It can also help you build a stronger support system.