Relax & Calm with your Senses
How to use our senses to promote more relaxation & calm in our life.
It starts with ‘Tuning-in’ to ‘Tune-out’ with a simple mindfulness technique. It’s one of my favourite tools and its simple to do anywhere at anytime.
Before heading to my practice, here’s a little background about what & how mindfulness can help us to access more relaxation and calm in our everyday.
Mindfulness - What is it?
A modern practice that involves purposefully paying attention in the present moment and bringing a non-judgemental, compassionate awareness to the nature of things. Its a way of relating to our outer and inner experiences and a coming to our senses, literally and metaphorically.
Where does it come from & does it really work?
Its practices have their roots in Hinduism and Buddhism. Today, people all over the world practice a range of mindfulness techniques, both traditional and modern, in all sorts of settings. Mindfulness is used to manage depression, anxiety, chronic pain, obsessive-compulsive disorder, stress, ‘burn out’ and more.
How it works.
There’s a growing body of evidence that supports the theory that mindfulness practice can alter the brain’s structure and function. These changes are thought to be behind the positive impact mindfulness seems to have on our emotion regulation, stress response, memory, learning and perspective. Now, to my simple, easy to do anywhere, anytime ‘Relax & Calm with your Senses’ practice…….
My 5 ‘Relax & Calm with your Senses’ practice:
Notice five things that you can see. Take a look around you. what’s in your immediate sight, further away, to the right & left of you? Take a moment to pause & observe with a soft, gentle gaze. Then after a few easy breaths. When you are ready. move on to….
Notice four things that you can feel. Tune in to your sense of touch. Inside & outside of you. How, what can you feel in this moment? Warmth. Cool air. Comfortable? Tense? Rain or, perhaps a blustery breeze against your skin….
Notice three things you can hear. Listen carefully. Open up to hearing as much and as many of the surroundings sounds you can hear right now. Then...
Notice two things you can smell. Are they familiar? Do you recognise them? Are they new to you? Then gently move your sensory awareness to….
Notice one thing you can taste. Something you ate or drank? Subtle residue of toothpaste?…..
“By using the 5 senses grounding technique and focusing on each sense, one at a time, you can become more present and aware of your surroundings, reduce feelings of stress or anxiety, and improve your emotional regulation and focus in just 5 minutes or less each day.” Balance by Elevate Labs
Practicing how to ‘Tune-in’ to ‘tune-out’ regularlity & consistency is a superb way to reap the benefits of this modern ‘age old’ health & wellness tool.
If you enjoyed spending time with my ‘Relax & Calm with your Senses’ guide, head over to my previous blog ‘Mindfulness for Beginner’s’. it’s another free practice for you to try.
Choosing to take action today by supporting ourselves to make healthier lifestyle choices, like incorporating a regular mindfulness practice into our life, helps towards building and creating a better and happier version of ourselves longer term.
*NB The stillness of mindfulness & meditation connects you more closely with your emotions, some of which may be unpleasant. Keeping busy prevents you from feeling these emotions. If there are some unconscious ones that you would prefer to avoid dealing with, you may find yourself resisting mindfulness.People taking any form of medication and or, have an existing health condition should always check with their Doctor or Medical health advisor before including any of the above in their lifestyle.
If you’d like to learn about more way’s to Relax & Calm daily & how to successfully cultivate and practice it, or need support with your Health & Wellbeing journey. Please use my contact form to get in touch.
Professionally trained and qualified to support people with their Life’s journey.
Helping you achieve success and fulfilment in all areas of your life. Best wishes always - Julie