subject: Pleasing Your "self": Five key senses will do it all [print this page] When the stress is overwhelming, we each look for ways to minimize the emotions by rewarding ourselves with either perks or treats. These can take different forms, especially if we apply them to five of our key senses while working in our gardens.
Sight: what better stress releaser than to admire one's work. Whether you just finished a group of containers or pots to display your flowers, assembled a fountain, or placed a bench in a strategic location, just the sight that the eyes can feast on is calming to oneself. Lighting is also very important to either let the sun in or create shade. Candles are the right ingredient for creating the right mood and offer an appeasing effect on the eyes.
Sound: the sounds of birds frolicking in their bird baths, calling to their mates, or just the song that they tweet can be soothing to anyone. Whether you are working in the yard and you can hear them, or just relaxing in your hammock and they are calming you during a cat nap, the sounds can bring a smile to your face. Listening to a wind chime gently swaying in the breeze can also have a relaxing effect for all those tense muscles. A gurgling stream? A rain shower? Any simple sounds of nature can bring profound change to your heart beat, your mood, your general attitude.
Speak: when you are working on something that you love to do or is your hobby, the tone takes a different sound. It's watching nature grow and flourish; it's sharing an idea or a vision with someone, or speaking softly to a romantic partner while on a swing on the patio. Being out in nature actually brings the tone of voice to a lower decibel and can be very tranquil.
Touch: touching the soil has an aphrodisiac effect because creating, planting, growing is a mixture of expectation, dedication and vision. Without a vision of what the flowers, bushes or plants will do is not creating a special oasis in your garden. Without knowing what plants need and where to put them, is almost doomed to failing those plants. Touching new growth for each plant is very rewarding as it is nature's signal that they like their new homes and have established themselves in that special spot you reserved for them.
Smell: What better smell than the fresh dew in the morning, that special whiff of clean rain, the aroma of fresh strawberries or cantaloupes. It's almost a breath of newness that reaches the senses to invigorate the palate and the nose. Just by approaching a vegetable stands, the different aromas of fruits and vegetables together are a powerful reminder of nature.
All these key senses affect profoundly the well being, relaxation and health of our bodies and souls. Enjoy the sights, sounds and activity your garden and its inhabitants can provide. Just by creating your special memories or places or sanctuary, you can build for yourself and your loved ones a stream of constant awakenings for all your senses.
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Pleasing Your "self": Five key senses will do it all
