Spring is upon us! The sun is shining after the spring showers, and flowers are blooming. It is a great time to practice self-care by enjoying God's beautiful creation since it can help calm our bodies, minds, and spirits.
It is easy to get caught up with checking things off our lists, but sometimes we need to slow down and breathe in new life. Ensure your self-care routine includes sensory activities that will refresh your soul. This type of self-care can be very grounding and offer a momentary distraction from the busyness of life. By stimulating each of our five senses, we can help our bodies and mind work together in harmony. I hope this list encourages you to do something nice for yourself.
The sense of touch
Get tactile. Take time to snuggle with your pet or loved one. Put on some lotion and feel it soak into your skin. Take a walk in the rain. Feel the grass between your toes. The feeling of water or wet grass against your feet is an excellent way to ground yourself if you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
The sense of sight
Relax your eyes. You can grow something and watch it flourish. Stare into a campfire and watch the flames dance. Father God created the earth knowing it was pleasing to the eyes, so enjoy viewing His creation.
The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
- Genesis 2:8-9
The sense of hearing
Listen to the sounds of the wild. You can listen to the birds chirping. Put on some music you love and dance. Have you ever turned on a song that almost instantly transported you back in time? Find melodies that bring you joy or help you work throughout your day. It could be an upbeat playlist or something soothing and relaxing.
The sense of smell
Throw open the windows and let in the fresh air. Bring home fresh flowers and herbs. The sense of smell is one of our most influential senses—it can transport us to another place, trigger memories and emotions, inspire creativity, and make us feel good. There is nothing more enjoyable than coming home to a house that smells fresh and clean, particularly during the spring when everything is blooming outside.
The sense of taste
Savor the taste of a bite of something delicious. You can explore the flavor of new foods. Taste something new or cook a favorite meal. Try a delicious soup or salad made from fresh spring produce.
Spring is a time of renewal, growth, and transformation. It is the perfect opportunity to look at your self-care practices and add some new ones to your routine. By engaging in activities that balance our five senses, we can become more balanced overall. Take time for sensory self-care and use all your God-given senses to improve your mental health, physical health, and overall well-being.