"Stop and smell the roses," people often say. Then they smileruefully, because everybody knows there isn´t enough TIME tostop or, as my daughter says, to "chill."

This is the Conventional Wisdom – and I´m here to tell you thatthe CW is simply WRONG. Researchers in Positive Psychologyfind that people actually get more done if they take time out toSAVOR their day. Not only that, but, over time, people who setaside a few hours every week are likely to be healthier, morerelaxed, and better able to cope with the stresses of everydaylife.

Why not try it? Give yourself the gift of Savoring. (Hey,stress is all you have to lose!)

To start, make a list of 10 things you REALLY enjoy doing,whether or not you´ve made time for them lately. I´m talkingabout stuff that gives you real pleasure. They may be thingsyou do alone, or with one other person, or with a group. Lookover the list, and see if one thing says “pick me.’ Chooseone of those activities that you enjoy.

Now: Take out your calendar, and SOME TIME IN THE NEXT MONTH,block out at least a 2-hour period that is JUST FOR YOU. Halfa day is better. A whole day is best of all. Do whatever isneeded to make that time free. Ask a neighbor to baby-sit.Tell your spouse you´ll be busy. Say “no’ to the half-dozenrequests that will almost certainly challenge your SavoringTime.

And when Your Day comes . . . GO FOR IT, whether you´re making apicture, walking in the woods, going to a movie, or just sittingstill. What matters is that you´re doing something you reallyenjoy.

These tricks will help you get the most out of your day:

• Give yourself permission – this is Your Day. It is absolutely100% okay for you to be taking this time. Leave your cellphone at home, or at least turned off. When kill-joy thinkingcomes along (and it will), play with it. Pretend it´s astick floating in a stream, and just let it drift away.

• Keep the day alive – collect a souvenir or take mentalphotographs to help you hold on to this special time.

• Focus – as though you were taking a photograph, adjust the“depth of field.’ Focus on selected aspects of the experienceand let the others go.

• Immerse Yourself – Try not to analyze the experience, justbe there. You´re savoring, remember?

• Tell the story – Share your experience with a friend orpartner – the joy that´s shared multiples by ten.

• Write it down. Read it over as a reminder in a few daysor weeks.

When your Savoring time is over, celebrate! Pat yourself onthe back for challenging the Conventional Wisdom. And, whileyou´re at it, why not take out your calendar and make anotherdate for Savoring Your Day?

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Maureen Killoran, MA, DMin, is a Life Coach and Unitarianminister, with a passion for helping people connect theirstrengths with their vision. Maureen offers dynamicindividual and group coaching, work team empowerment training,teleclasses, and a free monthly e-zine, "Seeds of Change."http://www.spiritquestcoaching.com

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