Massage & Bodywork

MAY | JUNE 2017

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C h e c k o u t A B M P 's l a t e s t n e w s a n d b l o g p o s t s . Av a i l a b l e a t w w w. a b m p . c o m . 29 Take a moment to think about your eyes and sight. What are the sights that nourish you? What are the sights that make you feel bad? For me, every time I walk under a canopy of green trees my eyes relax and I immediately feel better. Watching violent movies, on the other hand, is a total no-no, as I am thoroughly upset by images of people being hurt. Now, consider your ears and hearing. What are the sounds that uplift you? How can you bring more of those sounds into your life? What are the sounds that upset or irritate you? I know that very loud sounds are hard on me, and I will stuff toilet paper in my ears if I am at a concert with an overly loud sound system. Even if I love the music, if the sound is too loud, my brain begins to feel like it is getting bounced around inside my skull. Repeat these questions for each of your senses. Begin to identify which sensory experiences make you feel healthier, happier, and more peaceful, and which ones leave you stressed, angry, and make your mind race. The beauty of doing this exercise is that as soon as you bring these ideas into your awareness, you will automatically begin to shift to the experiences that support you and away from the ones you have identified as harmful. REFRESHING OUR SENSES Have you ever taken a day off to rest your senses? I know this is almost unheard of. When most people get the day off, they plan a full day of excitement and fun that fills the senses. But what if you took a day off to let your senses rest? What would it feel like to take a day off to truly do nothing? A day to sit around, take naps, and meditate. A day when you unplug all your electronic devices, eat plain and simple food, and keep silent as much as possible. I highly recommend taking time like this on a regular basis. It is a powerful self-care practice. As we progress on our self-care journey, we must come to understand that what we allow in through our senses affects our well-being, and we must begin to choose what we allow into our life and what we choose to shield ourselves from. Like food, it is not necessary to eliminate harsh sensory pollutants entirely, but we need to recognize them for what they are and how they affect us. This process empowers us to make good choices about what we let in and what we keep out. Jennie Hastings is a board-certified massage therapist, writer, and teacher. She is the creator of The Blossom Method and author of The Inspired Massage Therapist (Massage Blossom Books, 2012). She wants to be your friend on Facebook. Sign up for her monthly newsletter, and check out her blog at www.massageblossom.com. IN IN IN IN IN OUT OUT OUT OUT OUT SIGHTS SOUNDS TASTES SMELLS TOUCH Cultivating Your Senses For each of your senses, write down one thing you will let in and one thing you will keep out: SAV V Y SELF-CARE

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