What is Sensory Wellbeing?
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When we think about wellbeing we often think about a combination of physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing. However rarely do we carefully consider the impact of the senses on our wellbeing. Sensory wellbeing is the state of feeling comfortable and balanced in relation to our sensory environments, where the environment has ideally been cultivated to spark sensory joy and reduce sensory overload. Sensory wellbeing also involves your ability to process, regulate, and respond to sensory stimuli in ways that promote a sense of harmony and well-being.
Consider our adapted version of Maslow's Hierachy of needs published in our forthcoming book "Becoming a Sensory-Aware School: A Toolkit to Develop a Whole School Approach for Sensory Wellbeing"
We would argue that in order to develop reach the pinnacle of self actualization then we need to meet our most basic needs, which are not only our physiological and safety needs but also our sensory needs, before we can even start to meet our connection and belonginging needs and so on.
Sensory wellbeing is important for everyone, but it's particularly crucial for individuals with sensory processing difficulties, such as those with autism or ADHD who may have different sensory thresholds for certain stimuli compared to others. Achieving sensory wellbeing often involves managing and mitigating sensory triggers, creating an environment that is supportive and soothing, and engaging in sensory based self-care strategies.
Key elements of sensory wellbeing include:
- Understanding your own sensory profile: Each person has unique sensory preferences, tolerances, and triggers. Identifying and understanding one's own sensory needs is the first step toward achieving sensory well-being.
- Sensory Lifestyles: Engaging in sensory activities that help regulate the nervous system, such as deep pressure, swinging, or fidgeting, can improve sensory wellbeing. Build sensory plans that incorporates these activities throughout the day
- Creating sensory friendly environments: Making spaces available that minimise sensory overload, such as using calm lighting, soft textures, and reducing background noise, can help provide an oasis of calm when needed.
- Self-regulation strategies: Learning to recognise when sensory overload is occurring and utilizing coping strategies, like deep breathing exercises, mindfulness techniques, or taking a break from the sensory environment, can help maintain sensory wellbeing.
- Communication and support: Open communication with friends, family, and colleagues about one's sensory needs can help increase understanding and create a more accommodating environment for everyone.
- Professional guidance: Occupational therapists or other professionals specialising in sensory wellbeing can provide further guidance and support.
We like to call this sensory welldoing*- actively taking steps to manage and cultivate ones sensory wellbeing.
Questions:
- How do you manage your sensory wellbeing?
- What is your sensory welldoing plan?
Contact me for help and support in all aspects of Sensory Wellbeing and Sensory Welldoing. If you are a parent looking for support with children's sensory needs you may also like this free website Sensory Help Now. If you work in schools you will hopefully want to buy our Sensory Aware Schools toolkit when published as well as join Sensory Inclusive Schools.
I have plans to write the books as a trilogy- Sensory Wellbeing in the workplace and Sensory Wellbeing for home and with the family and would love to hear from you if you think these are also needed.
* Welldoing is a brilliant concept from this book which we have totally nicked with permission of the lovely authors!