5 Senses
We’re all familiar with our five senses:
- sight
- smell
- hearing
- taste
- touch
Lately, a popular way to center yourself when feeling anxious or overwhelmed is to stop, take a deep breath, and activate your five senses. What do I see in front of me or around me right now? What can I smell? What do I hear? What do I feel on my skin? You can take a sip of water, eat a piece fruit, chocolate or a mint to focus on your taste.
This practice stops the overwhelm from progressing into an episode by focusing your attention on the present. Similarly, it’s benefical to our mind, body, and soul to consciously take in the earth with our five physical senses.
See
See the earth; observe the trees. See it’s outer stillness recognizing that there is a vast root system beneath the surface. Watch the squirrels play, the birds flutter around, the ants crawling around. Is there moss or other plant life being supported by this tree?
Smell
Smell the earth, your immediate environments is brimming with fragrant molecules that your brain labels, do not need to know.
Consciously smell the flowers, the roses, the forest, the water, the stones by the river or lake. Simply paying attention to what you’re smelling enhances your life experience.
Taste
Taste the earth; eat lots of fruits & veggies, sip herbal tea; and drink delicious refreshing water.
Listen
Listen to the earth; hear the birds, listen the the waves crashing, the wind blowing, the trees rustling, the crickets chirping.
Feel
Feel the earth on your skin; walk barefoot on the grass; go to the beach; go for a swim. Lie flat on the earth’r surface. Connect your physical body with the earth’s regenerative power ball.
All at Once
The nice thing is that you can accomplish many or most of these by going on a walk. You’ll see, smell, hear and and feel the earth if you sit on the ground or under your favorite tree.
If You Can't Go Outside
If you can’t go outside, try bringing the outside in to your home or work space. Perhaps you can create a small indoor garden or or few potted plants. You can find succulents that are hardy.
The New Plant Parent Blog/Journal is an amazing resource that can help you care for your new indoor friends.
- Garden/hand in the soil
- Take an epsom salt bath
- Collect Rocks or crystals
- Feel the gentle sunlight for 10 minutes a day
There are many ways that you can connect with nature for a few minutes a day. It’s not necessarily how much time you spend that matters, as much as being fully aware when you do take the time to connect with the earth.
What is Earthing?
Earthing is connecting with the earth by walking barefoot on the surface of the earth or swimming in her bodies of water. Earthing restores health, vitality, reduces inflammation, stress and a host of other lifesaving and life enhancing benefits.
