By Carole Fogarty
Editor of Rejuvenation Lounge and facilitator of Women’s Rejuvenation Retreats:
Nourish Your Fives Sense And Calm Your Nerves:
I have a confession to make. After a recent visit to Michael, my Ayurvedic consultant I have stress rings showing in my eyes. Impossible I say. I feel great. The eyes however – never lie (according to iridology) and simply reflect whats really going on inside the body. Bugger (An Aussie term for – I’m not happy)
In case you’re not familiar with the term Ayurveda, its the sister science to yoga and thousands of years old. Its a complete health system for your body, mind and soul. You’ve probably come across Ayurveda, if you are into yoga or have read Deepak Chopras book – Perfect Health: The Complete Mind/Body Guide
Are Your Senses Malnourished?
Anyway, after answering a series of questions from Michael, plus an inspection of my tongue and eyes, the bottom line is I have not been mindful about nourishing my senses, which of course effects my nervous system and well being.
Quite simply the needs of my senses have been neglected and exposed to sounds, flavors, smells, feelings and sights that have depleted and distressed them.
Caring for my senses has got to be one of the best prescriptions a health practitioner has ever given me.
Nourish Your Senses With More Of What They Need:
Ears:
Reduce your exposure or turn down the volume (if you can) to sounds and noises that are unnecessary, displease or aggravate your sense of hearing. More importantly, add sounds throughout your day that you know will calm and nourish you to the core.
- When was the last time you were soothed by the sounds of nature?
- How often do you listen to the sound of silence?
- How many pleasant sounds do you enjoy each day?
- What can you hear right now?
Michael recommended that I should buy an album by Krishna Das called the Flow of Grace
Skin:
Touch can offer enormous nourishment to our emotions such as a comforting hug, being wrapped in a cosy blanket or soaking in a warm healing bath. Our skin and sense of touch is constantly interacting with the world around us.
- What’s your favorite thing to touch each day?
- Which parts of your skin never get loved or touched?
- Notice the textures of your clothes and how they make you feel.
- How many hugs do you get or give each day?
- Have you let the sun touch your skin lately?
- When was the last time you had a massage?
A daily self massage is well known to calm and relax your nervous system. I have totally fallen in love with my daily warm oil massage ritual and so has my body. Having the oil warmed, soothes and pacifies your nervous system even more.
Hugging is a daily pleasure you should never go without. I love hugging my boys and they love hugging me. Heh, you can even hug yourself.
Why not indulge in a homemade chocolate facial. Warning, they are addictive.
I avoid where possible having any synthetic fibres on my skin. Today I’m wearing organic jeans from Target and 100% cotton tops. Start noticing how different textiles and fabrics make you feel.
Think I’ll buy some new soft towels for the bathroom, new sheets for my bed, book in for a massage and hug my boys some more. That should do it.
Eyes:
Your eyes are very important as they are connected to your entire nervous system. The outside world is demanding their attention with flashing lights, colors, headlines and visuals. Overworked, tired, strained and under loved eyes will exhaust you and deplete your organs. I know my eyes desperately need more loving care.
- How do your eyes feel right now?
- Do your eyes get much variety during your day?
- Are you eyes exposed to lots of natural light or is it all artificial?
- What images please your eyes the most?
- Do you give your eyes some “down time” each day?
- When was the last time you looked at the sky?
- How often to you let your eyes rest in nature?
- Massaging your eyes will rejuvenate your organs
Surround yourself at home and at work with stuff and colors that please your sense of sight. After my visit with Michael he suggested that I dab pure rose water onto my eyes each morning to sooth them. I’ve got to add, I’m loving this new ritual and now my boys are wanting a spray as well. I’m also going to be looking up at the sky more often throughout my day and taking more regular short breaks away from the computer screen. A few eye exercises wouldn’t go astray either.
You can also rest your eyes with a 5 minute yoga eye pillow break.
Tongue:
Eat for taste and pleasure and because you have to. Your body knows the difference. Some days I get so caught up with writing and work that I eat without tasting. Naughty me. Eating unconsciously is a sure sign you are ignoring your sense of taste.
- Do you multi task when you eat?
- What are your taste buds saying to you right now?
- What are your favorite tastes?
- Do you eat in a relaxed environment?
- When was the last time you ate something that totally excited your taste buds
My focus for the last 2 weeks since seeing Michael is to eat in stillness. No reading, writing, talking or planning at the same time. I’m discovering just how clever my tastes buds are and how much information and feedback they are constantly giving me about the food I am eating. I am definitely happier when my taste buds are happier.
Nose:
You collect information from your environment by smelling. Smell is closely associated to your feelings and emotions. Every single human being has their own unique “smell finger print”. We are all different as to what smells we like and don’t like. Human beings can recognize over 10,000 different types of smells. Amazing. Emotions can be triggered by the memory of smells. Interesting.
Re-discover which smells make you feel good, nourish your nervous system and evoke happy memories.
- What can you smell right now?
- What smells can you add to your home and office to nourish and uplift you?
- When was the last time you really, really smelled the air, your garden and nature?
- Are there any smells you could eliminate from your home?
- Did you know the essential oil vanilla evokes happy memories?
As I have a keen sense of smell I really do nourish my sense of smell. I’m very conscious of the smells in my home, in my food and on my body. I use essential oils, incense and fresh herbs and flowers always. All my cleaners are natural and our home is virtually chemical free. The smell of artificial, chemically filled cleaners really upsets my sense of smell, along with cigarette smoke and lack of fresh air. Not keen on air conditioners at all either.
Let Me Know Which Of Your Senses Are The Most Malnourished:
I’d love to hear which of your five senses need the most support and attention.
Thanks so much for reading my article, Carole.
You are welcome to come back and visit my blog the Rejuvenation Lounge anytime or grab daily rejuvenation tips from me over at twitter.
More Great Ideas For You to Rest, Relax And Unwind:
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The ultimate rejuvenation recipe for your bedroom:
Books that boost your spiritual health:
10 Tension busting tips to grab on the run:
I dare you to put yourself first for one month:
Clutter busting game: Act as if you are moving overseas:
Simple solutions if you can’t shift clutter:
