Sensory Perceptions
It may begin with an eyestrain-related headache brought on by
hours staring at a computer screen. Or you might experience pain
after spending an hour or more with a telephone receiver cradled
in your neck. After nearly eight hours standing up, your feet
might be throbbing. Your pains, however, appear to be
exacerbated by stress.
Stress can manifest itself in a number of physical ways.
Headaches, earaches, abdominal pain, a tingling in our arms and
legs, and nausea can all be signs of stress. In other words, the
pressures that we are under can make us physically ill. As a
result, it's not surprising that we would seek a physical relief
from stress.
One of the best ways to deal with stress is to indulge your
senses. Our senses are like our personal radar detectors,
letting us know when we are nearing something that is inherently
good. Therefore, it is important that we surround ourselves with
things that will appeal to our senses.
First, indulge your eyes. This can be done in any number of
ways. For instance, you might make sure that you arise early
enough to see the sun rise on a summer day. The joy and peace
you feel gazing at the magnificent colors can greatly reduce the
amount of stress you feel during the course of your day. You
might also watch a videotape that features an excursion to some
exotic locale. Drinking in the palm trees and the ocean waves
can calm your nerves considerably. You might also consider a
trip to your local zoo. There, you can witness first-hand the
magnificence of various animal species, from the striped zebras
to the dotted leopards.
Next, consider making a "sound escape." Retreat to your
backyard, sit in the grass, close your eyes, and listen. It's
best to do this early in the morning or late at night, when
there is not a great deal of activity around. You may hear the
songs of robins...the hum of the cicadas...or the purr of a
kitten. Such nature sounds are incredibly soothing and can
provide you with a great escape from your normal routine. You
might even consider keeping a CD in your home of nature sounds
that you can play when you feel as if you're at the breaking
point.
Aromatherapy is a favorite relaxation technique nowadays. This
involves treating your nose to exquisite scents. Scented
candles, incense, or scented oils can help to "calm down" your
living space, creating a soothing atmosphere. Some plug-in air
fresheners can also be quite effective in re-awakening your
sense of smell. Or you might consider cooking with ingredients
that have incredible scents and allowing the aroma to overpower
your kitchen. There is nothing quite so comforting as the smell
of fresh bread baking or tomato-basil sauce simmering on the
stove.
When trying to de-stress, don't forget to indulge your sense of
taste. While you won't want to eat so much that you become
overweight, enjoying a few taste sensations can be good for both
stomach and soul. Consider adding some fresh mint to your iced
tea, or a lime wedge to your cola drink. A sliver of chocolate
or a taste of vanilla has also been known to help soothe frayed
nerves. Don't be afraid to experiment with different tastes
until you settle upon those that are true stress-relievers.
Many people combat stress by engaging their sense of touch. It
is no surprise that mothers-to-be often take up knitting--the
sensation of tugging at the yarn can be quite relaxing at a
stressful time. You might also consider taking up crocheting,
needlepoint, or pottery-making. Such activities have the added
bonus of allowing you to show off your artistic flair. And you
can fill your home with the beautiful art objects you are able
to create. You'll feel a sense of pride that will lift your
spirits--and will make you better able to deal with stressful
situations.
Each day, stress tries our senses. It can blur our vision,
disrupt our hearing, and dull our sense of taste. The obvious
antidote to this is to introduce things into our lives that
engage our senses in a positive way, that brighten our day. Such
things can seem minor, but they can make a huge difference in
how we are able to handle stress.