Sensory Slow Down

If you are feeling rushed or anxious, or even if it's a pretty average day, it's helpful to take a few moments to slow down. Find a comfortable place to rest into your body. Choose an object to touch for the next few moments. Focus on this object and begin to get curious. What is the quality of this object? How does it feel on your skin? How would you explain its texture? Explore the details of what you are feeling. Notice them. Connect with them. What other senses are engaged as you experience this one object? Ask yourself how you might experience this feeling if you were busied with distractions. Have you ever observed this object before? If so, what kept you from noticing these same details? Do you think your daily routine would be different if you led with your senses? How would it be different? Now, we're going to take a few slow, calming breaths to end this exercise. As you do, engage as many senses as you can. Breathe in. Notice the feeling of air in your nostrils. Breathe out. How does it sound? Breathe in. Can you sit up straighter? How does it feel to move your body with your breath? Now, with one final breath out, give thanks for the way you experience the world, yesterday, right now, and tomorrow.