Savor

            I recently read Sanjay Gupta’s book, It Doesn’t Have to Hurt. He explores the causes and remedies for pain, both of which occur mainly in the brain. Among his well-researched suggestions, which he calls “Reset Strategies,” is “Savor moments and memories.” I would like to focus on that one, not as a way to ease pain, but simply as a good thing to do.

 

            Gupta conveniently divides savoring activities into three groups:

 

·      SAVOR THE PAST   We do this most often by looking at Kim’s photos, highlighting where we went and what we saw there, as well as where we lived: landscapes, back yards, living rooms, parks, etc. The point is to re-enjoy the past. It probably helps to share this savoring, possibly with the person who was with you, but also with anyone else. To do this, you need to focus on positive experiences, not your illness or your car accident five years ago.

 

·      SAVOR THE PRESENT   This is, I suspect, very close to what some people call “mindfulness.” For me, this happens most often when I’m eating – but it does not happen often enough. I have a habit of shoving Kim’s artfully prepared meals into my face, and I’m trying – not very successfully – to pay close attention to each bite. Savoring the present can also happen when going for a walk, where you are notcounting your steps or monitoring your pulse, but instead paying attention to the trees, clouds, stones, porches – whatever. Again, it helps to share what you are savoring – especially with the person who prepared your meal – but savoring also can work when you are going solo. Some people enjoy simply going to a favorite place and noticing what is going on there – sounds, smells, sights, etc. Stop thinking about your to-do list or the atrocities in the news, and focus on the Now.

 

·      SAVOR THE FUTURE   This might be the toughest of the three, especially when you are my age. I recall one of my college professor’s telling our class that the best part of a sexual experience might be the anticipation – walking up her front porch steps. So, we might try enjoying what we will be experiencing next week. Focus on the positive stuff. And try to anticipate what can be enjoyable in our longer-term future. This might sound a lot like planning, which is a good thing, but don’t let planning sidetrack us from savoring the anticipation. What do you anticipate enjoying? Save the planning for tomorrow. Get on those steps to her front porch . . ..

 

Gupta might have advised readers to marry Kim, because she is the vehicle that carries me to most of my savory experiences.

 

For those of you who don’t plan on savoring Gupta’s book, here are his 7 Reset Strategies:

 

1.     Mind your brain: Mindfulness, psychotherapy, hypnosis, self-hypnosis

2.     Befriend your body: Mind-body practices, myofascial release and other manual therapies, acupuncture

3.     Move more: Exercise, movement, yoga, tai chi, dance

4.     Sleep well: Relaxation and restorative sleep, developing habits that improve sleep

5.     Eat well: The pain-smart pantry, anti-inflammatory eating plans, gluten-free or other dietary considerations as needed

6.     Cultivate connection: Personal, social, and community relationships that support and strengthen a sense of connection

7.     Savor moments and memories: The power of your focused attention on positive experience

 

Enjoy . . ..