We’ve all experienced it before: the urge to withdraw and skip experiences we know we’ll enjoy — even when a mood boost is what we need most. We stay home from the birthday party or cancel lunch with friends. These activities just don’t seem worth the effort. But then, more often than not, we feel worse after cancelling than we did before.
So how can you find the motivation to get out there, especially when you’re feeling low, stressed, or tired and going out seems like too much of a hassle? One proven strategy is to strengthen what psychologists call your reward sensitivity.
Our drive to seek out happiness and our ability to relish experiences are muscles that we can develop. Almost anyone can learn to amp up their reward sensitivity by training themselves to notice and savor their positive emotions.
We often focus on the desire to decrease or eliminate negative emotions, but most of us don’t just need to reduce pain, we also need to boost joy. Even short interventions encouraging positive emotions have shown benefits. A 2024 study of 85 students, led by Lucas LaFreniere, an assistant professor of psychology at Skidmore College, gave subjects with anxiety regular smartphone prompts to plan pleasurable activities, savor positive moments, and look forward to future positive events. After a week, they showed significantly improved feelings of optimism.
Here at Harbor’s Edge, there’s always something to look forward to. With so many events suited to different lifestyles and interests, there’s something for everyone. Even just living in an environment surrounded by peers and friends can bring comfort and a sense of community.
To raise your reward sensitivity, you can plan one activity each day to make you happy or give you a sense of accomplishment. This will make you less likely to postpone positive experiences. Be realistic, though. It shouldn’t be an intimidating task. It can be as small as treating yourself to a favorite snack, reading a few pages of a novel, or meeting a friend in the Game Room to play a round of bridge.
You should also try to find silver linings and share your highlights instead of venting about more negative memories. Searching for silver linings helps to train your brain to recognize the good in what you may initially believe to be a negative situation, helping you to become a more positive, grateful person. It may also be helpful to think about future wins or successes you’ll accomplish. Imagine the best possible outcome of an upcoming event or social situation and picture it vividly in your mind. This manifestation can encourage motivation and get you in the correct mindset for more uplifting experiences.
These years should be truly golden for you at Harbor’s Edge. We regularly have social gatherings and outings that help you connect with other residents and give you something to look forward to daily. Living in a community like Harbor’s Edge can help you focus on living your life the way you want to, without worrying about the details.
When you let yourself do all the things you’ve wanted to do for years but put off because you felt you didn’t have time, you open yourself up to so many amazing experiences. Many of our planned activities and wellness programs are crafted specifically to promote the happiness of our residents.
One truly touching example is our Art In Bloom event where members of our flower guild were paired with local artists to create a flower arrangement and a work of art, respectively. Those pieces were then paired together and displayed during an exhibition for all residents to attend, making for an immersive experience that brought attention to the visual dialogue between art and floral arrangements. Our flower guild members were overjoyed that they were able to participate in this event and work with local artists to express themselves in a medium they love.
Take comfort in the fact that all your care needs will be met and live the life you’ve been working towards. At Harbor’s Edge, you can enjoy your retirement while we take care of the details. We take care of the daily chores like housekeeping, cooking, and concierge services to give you the extra time and freedom to do what you enjoy and participate in activities that make you happy. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and we aim to make enjoying life easy.
