It is clear that our five senses are extremely important for our physical and mental wellbeing. Even though we may not always be aware of it, they are one of the fundamental systems of the human body.
Thanks to our five senses we are able to experience, perceive and get to know everything around us, so it is clear that we should do everything we can to look after them. If you would like to know more about this, we can work on it in my biodecoding therapy.
Ways to look after your 5 senses
Later on we will be more specific about what we can do to look after each of our five senses, but these are some of the things that will help keep them in the best possible condition:
- Keep up good oral hygiene.
- Avoid drinks at extreme temperatures. In other words, neither very cold nor excessively hot.
- Avoid exposure to strong smells, such as those of chemicals.
- Do not sunbathe for too long.
- Use suitable protection when you are in the sun.
- Keep up good hygiene.
- Make sure your hands are always clean.
- Protect your eyes from the sun’s rays.
Why is it so important to look after our senses?
Our five senses are one of the most important tools we human beings have for making our way through life. Naturally, it is very important to keep them in the best possible condition.
The truth is that together they make a great team. When they work together they achieve wonderful things, such as allowing our mind to build a map of memories, helping us learn, take in information and images, and make connections. We also owe them other things as important as being able to see, smell, touch, feel, hear and taste, among others.
What is more, if we lack one of the five senses, the others manage to make up for its absence as far as possible.
In return, we only need to take certain precautions so that we can make the most of everything they give us.
Ways to look after taste and smell
To look after your sense of taste, it is very important to brush your teeth at least twice a day, although it is better to do so after every meal. For complete oral hygiene, it is advisable to use a toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss and mouthwash.
Countless microorganisms live on the tongue, so it needs brushing too. You can simply use the same toothbrush. If you wash your hands before eating and after any activities that call for it, you will stop many of these microorganisms getting in.
Also steer clear of very hot, spicy or heavily seasoned food, as it can end up damaging your sense of taste. Chewing well will also help you pick out the flavour of your food much better, and your digestion will improve too.
As for your sense of smell, avoid exposure to bad smells (when you cannot avoid them, protect your nose and mouth with a suitable mask), as well as alcohol and tobacco.
Build other, much healthier habits, such as sport. Yes, sport. It has been shown that our sense of smell becomes sharper after exercise (possibly because of the extra moisture).
Something many people do not know is that the sense of smell can also be trained. To do this, try smelling a strong scent for a couple of minutes (two or three times a day). In about three or four months you will notice that this sense has become stronger.
Try to humidify the air in your home or workplace during the winter so that your sense of smell is as sharp as it is in summer or spring.
How to look after your sight
To look after your sight, it is more than advisable to see an ophthalmologist at least once a year for a check-up.
The direct light that enters our eyes is also crucial. To reduce eye strain at the end of the day, try to work in places with large windows that let in natural light. To light the area you are focusing on, use a slightly brighter light.
If you work in front of a screen, rest your eyes every 15 or 20 minutes and look at a fixed point a little way off for a few seconds.
Other recommendations:
- Include foods with vitamin A in your diet, as well as other foods containing magnesium, such as nuts and certain cereals.
- Open spaces with clean, fresh air are perfect for looking after your sight.
- Wear sunglasses whenever necessary (check that they are approved with the EU mark and a UVA filter).
- If you are going to spend a long time in front of a screen, make sure it is exactly at eye level so that you do not have to strain your eyes looking up and down.
- When you are looking at something for quite a while, keep it about 50 to 70 centimetres away from you.
- At your workplace, sit with your feet flat on the floor and your head and back straight.
Looking after your hearing
To look after your ears properly, avoid wearing headphones for long periods. Do not turn the volume up too high either (ideally, no more than 60%).
When you are somewhere the noise is going to be very loud (for example, concerts or nightclubs), keep away from things like speakers. It is not good to spend a long time near building works either. If you cannot avoid it, use earplugs or ear defenders.
Other recommendations:
- Wear earplugs when you go swimming.
- Never use things like hairgrips to scratch your ear.
- Although cotton buds are commonly used to remove earwax, this is not ideal. It is much better to use soap and water.
- Keep your ears clean. Wash and dry them well. However, it is good to leave a little wax, as it protects against infections.
Ways to look after your sense of touch
To look after your sense of touch, good personal hygiene is advisable. As part of this, washing your hands regularly is essential. Keep the water temperature moderate to avoid burns.
Also drink the right amount of water (around two litres a day is the usual recommendation). Likewise, sleep well and eat properly, following a healthy diet that includes foods such as bananas, salmon, kiwis, spinach, tomatoes and yoghurt.
Other recommendations:
- Use good sun protection.
- Stay active.
- Avoid injuries and burns.
As you will have seen, looking after something as valuable as our five senses is not difficult at all. It is enough to bear certain recommendations in mind and give up some habits that are not good for our health. And there is no doubt that it is worth it.
