What is Sensory Awareness?
A thorough and accessible description of Sensory Awareness can be found in the excerpt from the "Lifestyle Sustainability Directory" under the
term "Sensory Wellbeing". An excerpt is below.
To read the full article, click the "Read More" button.
[Sensory awareness relates to understanding] "...the deep satisfaction derived from environments that stimulate our senses in ways that are restorative and life-affirming. Think of sunlight warming your skin through a window, the scent of damp earth after a summer shower, or the
subtle vibrations felt walking barefoot on grass.
These aren’t just pleasant occurrences; they are fundamental interactions that shape our internal state, influencing mood, stress levels, and overall vitality. In a world often saturated with artificial stimuli and disconnection, tuning into these basic sensory inputs becomes
an act of profound grounding.
This isn’t about chasing fleeting pleasures; it’s about building a foundation of contentment through conscious engagement with our physical surroundings. It involves noticing the textures of the materials we touch, the sounds that compose our sonic landscape, the visual rhythms of nature or thoughtful design, and the myriad smells that color our days.
Recognizing these elements shifts our perspective, moving away from
purely intellectual understanding towards an intuitive, felt
knowledge of our place in the living system.
Sensory Wellbeing begins with the simple act of noticing the world
through our senses, finding grounding in the feel,
sight, sound, smell, and taste of life.
For individuals exploring sustainable living [and wholistic wellness], understanding Sensory Wellbeing provides a tangible entry point. Sustainable choices often align naturally
with positive sensory experiences.
Opting for clothes made from natural fibres feels different – often softer, more breathable – than synthetic alternatives. Preparing a meal with fresh, local ingredients offers vibrant colors, compelling aromas, and
richer tastes compared to highly processed foods.
Walking or cycling instead of driving allows us to hear the
birds, feel the breeze, and smell the
blooming flowers along the way.
These sensory dividends make sustainable actions not feel like sacrifices,
but rather like enhancements to the quality of daily existence."
Creativity is the lens through which we sharpen our senses, revealing the intricate patterns and vibrant details of a
world often overlooked.
It's an invitation to notice,
to truly perceive, and in that mindful engagement, to find a profound sense of presence and wellbeing.
~ Boho & Knots
Sensory Consciousness
While raising awareness and being more intentional about how we navigate life based on this intuitive knowing (which is in constant communication with our sensory system), we want to help draw attention to the challenges that can occur when people aren't able to establish or maintain "sensory wellbeing"
due to factors outside of their control (due to choice or circumstance).
Additionally, in instances where people are not experiencing
optimal sensory wellbeing, for a prolonged period of time,
this can impact their mood, mental health,
physical health and relationships (and more).
As some people are more :"sensitive" or "intuitive" than others,
its easy to notice that the conventional world isn't
designed to make all spaces, activities,
gatherings, and food & products accessible for all.
Factor in people's places on the spectrum of neurodiversity, or the highly
sensitive people (HSP) continuum, or those with
different allergies or sensitivities (etc).
These people, and others, help us recognize that everyone doesn't have the same sensory tolerance (as some people we know have unique sensory
processing needs & preferences for them to function optimally and to connect,
with more purpose (than not), to the people, places, and things that are
most compatible to their system (than not).
As a result, we aim to take unconventional approaches
(more socially known as creative, strategic, or innovative) to be accommodating or adaptive in our work because we know that each person has a sensory needs and preferences that they often have to suppress or ignore
because of accessibility limitations.
When we think of diversity, equity and inclusion, we often of those who silently, or vocally, express a need for activities, groups, communities (etc)
that are more human centred in their design.