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Seven Senses

We all have seven senses that help us function in the world around us.  Listed below are the senses and examples of things that we can do to help increase our awareness of these senses and get them in sync within ourselves.  Some of these things will appeal to one person and yet the same thing may cause an overload to another person.  It is up to us to find out what our senses "like" and need in order to be in sync and at our best functioning level. 

Auditory Sensory System

Sense of Hearing

Listen to music that has 50-70 beats per minute

Listen to classical music (even, slow beat)

Listen to rock music (loud bass, uneven beat)

Hum or listen to others humming

Listen to or tapping out rhythmic beats

Listen to recorded sounds (ocean, heartbeat...)

Talk to yourself

Environmental noises (pets, city...)

Work in a quiet or noisy room

Gustatory Sensory System

Sense of Taste

Tasting different treats/foods - different flavor combinations - trail mixes

Blowing in and out - deep breathing

Drink from a straw, exercise bottle, frozen slushy drinks

Sucking on something

Chewing gum

Eating crunchy or chewy foods

Eating sweet or sour foods

Drinking warm/hot drinks

Whistling

Eating/sucking on ice

Olfactory Sensory System

Sense of Smell

Scents that Calm

  • Almond

  • Apple

  • Banana

  • Cinnamon

  • Lavendar

  • Pine Needles

  • Soap

  • Vanilla

Scents that Excite

  • Basil

  • Citrus

  • Coffee

  • Dirt

  • Garlic

  • Lemon

  • Mint

  • Onion

  • Rubber

  • Vinegar

Use scented markers/pens.

Use scented stickers

Use scents in your home

Chew scented gum

Proprioceptive Sensory System

Sense of Body Position in Space

 

Arm wrestling

Giving bear hugs

Being a monkey (hanging by the arms)

Crashing into bean bags/pillows

Playing leap frog

Jumping on the trampoline

Doing gymnastics

Playing rough (tumbling, wrestling)

Wearing weighted vests/blankets

Tactile Sensory System

Sense of Touch

Brushing skin or hair

Playing with water

Fidget/play with small objects (paperclips, string, keys, coins, Koosh ball, rubber bands, straw, jewelry, clay)

Fingerpainting

Blowing and chewing

Hands on activities/cooking/playdoh

Playing with pets

Massages

Playing with sand

Wash your face (cold or hot cloth)

Take a shower/bath (cool or warm)

Twist your own hair

Vestibular Sensory System

Sense of Balance and Movement

Balance Activities

Gymnastics

Jumping

Rhythmic rocking/rocking chair

Riding tricycles, bikes, or scooters

Rolling 

Sitting on balls

Sliding

Spinning

Swinging

Visual Sensory System

Sense of Sight

Digital/live aquariums

Fluorescent lighting

I Spy games

Lava lamps (oil/water toys)

Moving desktops

Puzzles

Watch a fireplace/fire

Organized space (or not organized...)

Open windows