Sometimes our lives get overloaded by having a lot to do at work, taking the kids everywhere they need to be, and then coming home to a messy house. It takes a toll on us all. We owe it to ourselves to slow down and use our five senses to realign our mind and bodies to a more peaceful state.
1. Touch
The sense of touch typically provides a calming effect. When you are upset, people typically reach out to comfort you with a hug or a soft hand on the shoulder. Some of the ways to relax using your sense of touch include taking a luxurious, hot bubble bath, running your fingers through the fur of your pets while taking in the softness of it, or snuggling with a fluffy, chenille blanket on the couch. Settle in and really absorb the textures you are experiencing.
2. Sight
Staring at a computer screen all day can be daunting on our eyes. Try relaxing by the fireplace, or if you don’t have one, light candles and turn off the lights. Watch the dancing flames go back and forth with the air blowing across them. Sit by a window watching the sunset. View the changing colors as the sun dips below the horizon. Even something as simple as watching your kids play quietly can be relaxing.
3. Sound
Sounds tend to have the most influence on our mood. Listening to a cacophonous office all day long is exhausting. Play a soft piece of music while you are relaxing in that wonderful bubble bath. Listen to wind chimes in the evening breeze. If you have the space, install a small water fountain on your patio to listen to the water babbling across the rocks. Channel the sounds of the Pacific Rim National Reserve in British Columbia. Water is a very soothing sound.
4. Smell
Smells can conjure up the deepest of memories, both good and bad. Find scents that are the most peaceful to you and add them to your bathwater. That bath really does wonders for the soul! Light scented candles to look at and smell, or add a few drops of essential oils to a diffuser.
5. Taste
Sometimes we rush through our dinners to get the kids’ homework done, and get them into bed to start their days over again, bright and early. Try to enjoy your meals with the family and savor the food you spent time making for them. Turn off the TV to decrease the distractions and gather around the dining table.
No matter how your days are spent, you should be able to find sanctuary in your own home. How you decide to create that atmosphere is up to you, but tapping into your five senses provides endless ways to settle down after all your hard work and relax. Adair Homes can help create a peaceful setting for your home if you are in the Vancouver area.