When was the last time you truly rested? A time when you were not rushing to a meeting, running errands, or worrying about items on your to-do list. Was it yesterday, the day before, or not any time in the recent past?
In today’s world, we are constantly on the go. Even when we are not physically active, the gears in our minds are relentlessly turning. Which goes to show, 8-hours of sleep aside, you are likely not resting as well as you should. If you are invested in your wellness, it may be time to trade this unhealthy pattern for a better one.
One of the ways that you can go about that is by using sensory relaxation. Read on and let us explore further.
Auditory Mediums
Various sounds trigger different reactions in the human body. Loud bangs, for example, are bound to startle while lulling sounds tend to elicit a feeling of calm. It is this sensitivity to sound that you can harness to improve your relaxation routine.
When you are feeling high-strung or overwhelmed, it may be best to seek silence or soft sounds. They allow your mind to relax and the cortisol levels in your body to drop which is essential for your physical and mental wellness. You could use this technique as a wind-down routine as well, especially if you have trouble sleeping.
Visual Relaxation
Sight is a process. Your eyes see what is in front of you and your brain interprets it so you can understand what it is that you are looking at. Now, imagine how many times this process takes place in a day. Between your phone, computer, television, and every other task you perform, exhaustion keeps on building.
Constant visual engagement could lead to dry eyes, poor sleeping patterns, migraines, and anxiety. Endeavor to put down your devices for bursts of time during your day and rest. Take a walk, swim, or have a nap instead of simply hopping onto yet another device. Your mind and your eyes need a break from all the back and forth.
Mental Relaxation
You may be shocked to learn that when you get home from work and have a movie marathon you are not really resting. More so given the fact that you may be multitasking on social platforms as you are watching television. You will likely wake up the next day wondering why you are still so tired yet you had some downtime the previous night. The truth is, your brain never got any of that downtime as it was still engaged in consuming and processing information.
Mental relaxation can take on different forms for different people but the idea is the same; to unwind from the pressures of life. One way to go about this would be to pursue a hobby. It could be a sport or an emotionally rewarding activity like rearing a pet. If you find cats or dogs too imposing, you could try less demanding alternatives like fish. Furthermore, an aquarium in itself can be relaxing to watch. You can visit https://www.imountaintree.com/ to learn more about aquarium setup and maintenance accessories.
The Sense of Touch
Shaking hands and hugs are all rather strange gestures if you think about them in a literal sense. Yet, on a deeper level, they are a human way of acknowledging and appreciating the presence of another person. Suffice to say, there is power in the human touch. Research actually shows that it evokes feelings of safety and can have a healing effect as evidenced by the kangaroo method.
Massages are a helpful medium of relaxation through the sense of touch. They have been proven to reduce chronic pain, improve blood flow, and lower blood pressure. For the best results, it is advisable to always seek the services of a professional.
Olfactory Senses
Among all other senses in the body, the sense of smell is the one that is most closely linked to emotion. It is why the aroma of your favorite food can instantaneously make you homesick. Similarly, certain smells can trigger a sense of hunger, disgust, or cause mood changes.
Aromatherapy banks on these strengths of the olfactory system to impart wellness and induce healing in the body. Different essential oils diffused in your vicinity can help you achieve specific wellness objectives. They include:
Reducing Fatigue
Spearmint and eucalyptus essential oils have an energizing effect. They open up your airways when inhaled in the air and stimulate blood flow as well. Both of these actions help raise the body’s metabolism and subsequently its energy levels.
Calming Anxiety
When you find yourself jumpy and unsettled, the scent of neroli or bergamot oil could be helpful. They have chemical compounds that trigger a calming response in the human body. If you are biased toward something more sweet-smelling, lavender would be ideal.
Improving Sleeping Patterns
Sleep is the ultimate way to rest your body. A lack of sleep or poor sleep quality is hazardous to your health. Consider diffusing Roman chamomile oil in your bedroom during your bedtime routine. You could also light a candle infused with it to help soothe your body to sleep.
Conclusion
Your senses undoubtedly play a significant role in the quality of rest you get. If they are not being sufficiently tended to, you may begin to notice more fatigue and an overall state of poor wellness. Now that you know how to use the power of your senses to relax, take better care of yourself.
