In this ‘Home Recreation Guide,’ I dive into 5 domains of wellness and talk about different recreation activities that are fulfilling to each domain. In this post, I will be sharing about sensory wellness.

What am I talking about when I say, 'Sensory Wellness'? Well, when you think of your senses you often think about your 5 senses; sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste. To explain sensory wellness further, it is to highlight activities that use our senses.
My Seven Recommendations:
1. Bake Something and Focus on the 5 Senses
As shared explained in this article, by recognizing our senses deeper than just visual, we can gain a greater appreciation for the process and techniques. They explain the correct texture, taste, and smell of baking.

2. Use Aromatherapy
As explained by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), aromatherapy is apart of a larger field known as phytotherapy (commonly called plant therapy). In this therapy, they use essential oils in various ways to support your health, mind, body, and spirit whilst promoting emotional, physical, and spiritual health.

By using aromatherapy we tap-into our smell sense (our olfactory system), which can recall specific memories, emotions, and associate a smell with pleasant or unpleasant depending on our preferences as explained in this article.
3. Music Therapy

For many of us, music is our go-to place for comfort and expression. The Canadian Association of Music Therapists explains music therapy not only relaying on listening as a sense they use, however, the tactile feeling of playing an instrument, and the imagery being key components of music therapy. This explores the different senses that music can contribute to.
4. Listen to a Guided Meditation
While meditating we often call on our senses to bring awareness to the present moment. The video below leads you through a meditation using your senses.
As mentioned in my blog on forest bathing, this also contributes to the sixth sense, your state of mind.
5. Gardening
Gardening can be more deeply appreciated when we recognize all of our senses being stimulated. For example, the smell of the flowers and dirt, the sound of birds, the feeling of dirt between our fingers, the taste of fresh vegetables or fruits, and the sight of the beautiful flowers, plants, animals, or people around us. On top of being great for sensory stimulation, gardening also has multiple other benefits such as reducing physical pain, improved cognitive functioning, improved motor skills, and can improve your mental wellbeing.

6. Reminisce on Your Senses
Similarly to using your senses in guided meditation, you use your senses while reminiscing on a past memory. Whether you are reminiscing on a trip, a dinner, a place, or a specific memory, incorporating your senses and what senses you can remember from that moment.
7. Create Sensory Bottles/Kits
Often created for kids, sensory bottles and kits can be used for adults as a grounding coping mechanism. You can create a sensory kit that contributes to mindfulness, gratitude, grounding, and more. My personal 'sensory kit' stays on my bedside, containing my journal, my contact list, essential oils, lotion, candy, and harmony balls.
How To: Sensory Bottles
How To: Sensory Kits
Senses Activity Sheet
Lastly, it is important to recognize and be aware of your senses. The activity below gets you to describe your senses throughout your day. I encourage you to try this in order to be more mindful of your senses.

Thank you for letting me share some ways to cultivate your moments.
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