Your 8 senses
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Did you know that humans have 8 senses?
We all know about the five physical senses of sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. But there are three more - proprioception (the awareness of your body position), vestibular (awareness of movement) and interoception (your sense of self).
Proprioception allows us to recognize the position and movement of our limbs and body in space, enabling us to navigate the world around us.
Vestibular - often referred to as the movement sense- help you know where your body is in space and how it's moving. This sensory information helps you coordinate movements for feeding, dressing, walking and more.
Interoception is responsible for helping us understand how we feel internally; it includes functions like hunger, thirst and temperature.
All these senses work together to provide us with an understanding of our own bodies, as well as the space we live in. This understanding helps us with tasks such as mood management, which can impact our mental health and well-being. When we’re aware of how our body is responding to different situations, it’s easier to figure out what we need to do in order to manage our emotions. Being mindful of these senses can help us make decisions that are in line with our own physical and emotional needs.
So, next time you need to take a minute to assess your mood or focus on a task at hand, try tuning into the way your body is feeling and responding. Understanding how these senses work together can help you identify what’s going on inside of you and make decisions that are in line with what your body needs. Using these senses to your advantage can help can lead to improved mental health, peace of mind, and a better quality of life!
If sensory information is not accurately processed by the brain, it can lead to sensory processing issues in children and adults. Occupational therapy helps individuals learn how to effectively use sensory input for everyday activities, like self-care, leisure time and work.
Let's connect and discuss the Lifability programs further to improve your sensory awareness and improve your quality of life.
