Making Your Home a Sensory Haven

We might not realize that everything we see, hear, touch, taste and smell will influence our emotions, helping us to experience wellbeing in the space that is our home.

We share some suggestions on how you can tap into your senses and make your home a sensory haven. 

What do you see?

In your home, your collection of possessions and favorite things can bring a smile every time you see them as well as comfort and security.   Those smiles create a reaction in the brain to release hormones including dopamine and serotonin. 

When planning your home's interior, don't forget to include those items that mean something special whether they are favorite colors, photographs, a souvenir from your travels or artwork. 

What do you hear?

It can be the sounds of nature, it can be the sounds of children happily playing outdoors or it can be the very personal choice of music.  All or any of these sounds that are heard in your living space can play a huge role in your personal happiness. 

If it is the sounds of nature that check your box, try to sit somewhere quiet and close to a window where you can enjoy them peacefully.  Listening to the sound of birdsong can lower your stress levels while music can be uplifting or relaxing.  However, if where you live is perhaps noisy with the sounds of traffic rather than nature, consider listening to an audio recording instead. 

What do you touch?

Touch is possibly the least understood of the senses.  It can have a great impact on our bodies including how they are supported... 

One of the most common causes of lower back pain is a poor sitting posture. 

• Could this be because of the type of fabrics we sit on or sleep under? 
• Are they breathable or do they make our bodies sweat unnecessarily?  
• Are they soft to the touch, providing a positive sensory stimulation or do they have the opposite effect?

Look at including multisensory connections through touch in your home to create multiple and positive emotional experiences. 

What do you taste?

Tasting has always had an important place for most of us.  In fact, what we eat - and where we eat - go hand in hand with our wellbeing. 

Sadly, eating together as a family is not always possible but if you can make the effort regularly, it has many positive benefits. 

• Look at how your family can connect at mealtimes, is the layout conducive to everyone sitting down together? 
• Encourage your family members to become involved in meal preparation and setting the table. 

What do you smell and breathe in?

Artificial fragrances are constantly advertised as a solution to all our problems but they are not.  They actually add to them, harming our bodies and the air around us.

Natural fragrances on the other hand can soothe and comfort, offering potent and positive sensory responses without our homes.  Such fragrances can evoke feelings that can change our mood and help to create an inviting and homely space. 

• Fresh flowers are one source of natural smell. 
• Toxin free candles such as beeswax or soy are another. 
• And then there are essential oils.  Our Lavender Oil is just such an essential oil.  I have a small bowl in my bathroom to which I regularly add a few drops of Lavender Oil for an instant sensory experience!

SOURCES:

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/15-signs-your-home-is-making-you-sick-and-how-to-fix-it/

https://www.amoils.com/blogs/health-blog/making-your-home-smell-fresh-naturally