| Please your senses first. What you see, hear, taste, | | | | phone, stop working, and focus only on the taste of |
| smell, and touch make a difference in your stress | | | | the food you’re eating. You will enjoy your food |
| level. The following are general examples of how to | | | | much more if you pay attention to the enjoyment of |
| please your senses to reduce stress. | | | | the food rather than multitasking over your dinner |
| | | | | plate. |
| Sight — Why do we go on vacation? Usually | | | | |
| it’s because we need to relax and see | | | | Smell — Burn scented candles. As noted before, |
| something new or different. Most of us live in | | | | aromatherapy scents are known to relax you. Try |
| crowded cities where our neighbor is within an | | | | peppermint oil or other essential oil scents. Spray a |
| arm’s reach. We are surrounded by buildings or | | | | scented air freshener in your car. Try a “new |
| freeways — not a pretty sight. To please your | | | | car” scent to give you that same feeling you had |
| sight, go find something beautiful — a beach, the | | | | when you first bought your new car. |
| mountains, or maybe a forest and enjoy the view. | | | | |
| | | | | Touch — There are many ways to please your |
| Hearing — Quiet the outside noises and plug in a | | | | sense of touch. Give or receive a massage. Pet your |
| relaxing tune. Music is soothing, especially instrumental | | | | cat or dog. Hug somebody you love. Hold a baby |
| sounds that induce relaxation. There are several CDs | | | | — babies are soft and fresh and can help relax |
| and DVDs available that offer nature sounds to quiet | | | | your body. |
| the soul. | | | | |
| | | | | It’s only natural to use your senses to reduce |
| Taste — When you have a meal, do simply that: | | | | stress. |
| have the meal. Turn off the television, hang up the | | | | |