It's Almost Spring: Awaken Your Senses

Thanks to our cell phones, traffic, and countless hours spent in front of the computer and the TV, most of us arent able to tune into our five senses. It's too bad because our senses are the gateway to life's truest pleasures. Why not set your senses free, especially since spring is practically here? Try the following:

OPEN HEARING
This means listening to the whole range and variety of sound vibrations that surround us. It's not just music that can affect our mood; every noise that enters our soul leaves its mark. If you train yourself to appreciate all sounds, you will be less likely to regard noise as an irritation and be more likely to embrace it as a living experience.
Try this: Sit comfortably near an open window. Close your eyes and remain very still until you can hear the noise in your head. Now open up your listening to include sounds in the room. Follow this by including the sounds outdoors, and finally more distant sounds.

OPEN SEEING
Although we all possess a wide field of vision, most of us focus on one small area at a time. Begin to pay attention to your outer or peripheral vision, which will lead you to a wider perspective. Also, pay attention to the behavior of other people and their body language, which may send subtle messages beyond their verbal clues.

OPEN TASTINGPrepare a meal for yourself. Begin to eat the food slowly, savoring the flavors in each mouthful. Pay attention to how your teeth and tongue feel against the textures of the food. Swallow slowly.OPEN SMELLINGGather together some strong-smelling objects like flowers, herbs, fruit or scented soap. Close your eyes and pick up the objects one at a time; allow yourself the opportunity to absorb the fragrance of each item.OPEN TOUCHINGSelect some objects as different in weight and texture as you can find. The collection might include a shell, silk scarf, pumice stone and apiece of ice. Place what you have chosen on a tabletop. After closing your eyes, pick up each item in turn and explore it thoroughly, noticing differences in texture and temperature. Our sense of touch provides a vital source of information about our state of being and not surprisingly, is a major source of pleasure.Robin Westen is ThirdAges medical reporter. Check for her daily updates. She is the author of Ten Days to Detox: How to Look and Feel a Decade Younger.See what others have to say about this story or leave a comment of your own.
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