ESPCouples who intentionally pause to appreciate the enjoyable experiences they share tend to be more satisfied in their relationships, argue less, and feel more confident that their partnership will endure, according to researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.
"Savoring involves slowing down to become aware of and focus on positive experiences," said first author Noah Larsen, a graduate student at Illinois. "Savoring can occur when we reminisce on a past experience, focus on the present moment or look ahead to a future experience."
Previous studies have shown that savoring benefits individuals. Larsen and his colleagues, Illinois human development and family studies professors Allen W. Barton and Brian G. Ogolsky, wanted to see what happens when couples practice savoring together as a shared activity. The participants were drawn from a larger project examining resilience in romantic relationships.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260213223908.htm
