No, we’re not going “there”!
The word sensual is often used in a sexual context but does not mean that exclusively. By definition, it can mean enjoying physical sensations such as smell, taste, hearing, sight, touch.
Self care is something that would be beneficial for us all to be practicing on a daily basis to promote general health, prevent disease and to be able to cope with the curve balls life sometimes presents to us.
I think that most people don’t practice self care, or perhaps it’s just not a priority, because we make it bigger than it has to be. Self care conjures up images of going to the gym, meditating for 30 minutes, scheduling a massage into your already packed schedule. It feels like another “thing to do” or something you’re not going to have time for.
I’ve been really mindful and focused about my own self care lately and noticing the difference in how I feel when it is at the top of my to do list as opposed to something I “should be doing”. I had a conversation recently with another wellness practitioner and we were discussing how to make it easy and pulling in the senses to make it more pleasurable. Don’t’ we all need a little more pleasure in our lives?
When you connect with the senses, it will help you to relax or elevate your mood, depending on what your goal is. The thing that I find interesting is that it will be very different for everyone. I notice in my massage therapy practice, there are people who LOVE lavender, which I refer to as the Queen of Relaxation. There are also some people who HATE the smell of lavender. As someone that I used to work with years ago used to say – that’s why there’s 31 flavors at Baskin Robbins!
So let’s take a look at the senses and how you might be able to carve out as little as 5 minutes for some sensual self care:
Smell – (This one is probably the easiest) What smells bring you joy? For some, it’s things like lavender or sandalwood. Others love the smell of fresh cut grass or something baking in the oven. Sometimes you may need the uplifting benefit of the smell of grapefruit. There are many ways to utilize your sense of smell for self care. Aromatherapy diffusers and candles are easy things to incorporate in your day to day. It can literally be as simple as keeping a bottle of your favorite essential oil next to your computer, put a drop in your hand, rub your hands together and take 3 long, deep slow breaths in before you start your work. You just activated your olfactory nerve, stimulated your brain to release serotonin and dopamine AND you got a little breath work in under five minutes – gold star! You could do that several times a day.
Taste – What tastes bring you joy? This will also vary greatly. A quick easy way to engage the sense of taste for self care is a cup of your favorite tea, and extra credit if it smells amazing too! AND you get a gold star if you actually sit and enjoy it without being in front of a screen. Would you give yourself the gift of an uninterrupted cup of tea, a glass of wine, a piece of dark chocolate and just enjoy the pleasure of it?
Hearing – What sounds help you to feel better? Music is such a great healing tool. Sometimes it can help us relax and unwind, and sometimes the self care may be that you’re feeling a little low and need to be uplifted. There may also be moments where silence and the lack of sound is what is needed. There are soooo many great options and platforms out there to indulge in hearing something that you need. One of my new favorite things to listen to is Sofreggios. And I am a HUGE fan of Sound Baths.
Sight – What visually makes you feel better when you look at it? Intentionally looking at something to shift your mood couldn’t be easier. Do you have a favorite, go-to movie that instantly makes you feel better? I personally have some photos on my phone that I look at when I need to smile. I also will sometimes take a few moments in my roof top garden and just basque in the colors and the beauty of what’s growing up there. When was the last time you walked through a museum and just let your eyes drink in the surroundings?
Touch – What feels really good to your body? Is there anything better than a 20 second hug (that’s how long you need to hug to release the oxytocin)? How about the feeling of sliding into your favorite pair of slippers? or wrapping yourself in your favorite blanket? or the feeling of rubbing a beautiful, hydrating body oil into your skin after a shower (bonus points if it smells amazing and you take a few nice breaths in as you apply!) Sometimes petting your fur baby is just what you need. And there’s always the way you feel after receiving a great massage! Hint, hint!
These are all really simple, easy ways to give yourself the gift of self care on a daily basis. The key is intentionality. You can make yourself a cup of tea, but are you present? Are you noticing how it tastes? Are you noticing how it smells? Do you have a favorite, pretty cup to drink it in that makes you smile when you see it? I have a new adorable pink tea cup that someone recently gifted me that I smile and think of her every time I see it!
Can you take five minutes and shift your mind, your emotions and indulge your senses? I encourage you to schedule these moments if necessary until they just become part of your routing like brushing your teeth. Make it easy and keep it simple and sensual. What’s your first step going to be? Which of the senses called out to you?
