5 Essentials to Engage Your Senses and Banish the Winter Blahs!

Happy Wednesday, Friends!  Do you ever struggle with the winter blahs? Studies show that our spirits can be lifted by simply engaging the five senses. Today I'm sharing some intentional ways I practice this in my home.  Ready to banish those blahs?  Let's start with taste: This soothing honey lavender tea is a new favorite...

When I tried lavender tea in the past, I wasn't a fan.  Then recently a friend gave me this Yogi honey lavender tea and it is sooooo good! Did you know that besides its stress relief benefits, it also aids with digestive issues?  I find it really relaxing to have a cup before bed. 

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Smell: Another fave that promotes relaxation is my essential oil diffuser.  I'm a firm believer in aromatherapy and the power of scent.  At first, I only turned it on at bedtime each night, but now I use it throughout the day. Whether I'm working on the computer, cleaning, or calling it a night, I find the fragrance both relaxing and motivating. Let's just say, doing the dishes is less of a drag when a fresh lemony scent is lingering in the kitchen!  Mine from Amazon,is pictured below. Though I hunted, this particular one doesn't seem to be available anymore. However, they have a large selection in different styles and price ranges. 

Like this one:
SpaRoom Aromamist Ultrasonic Essential Oil Diffuser, White

I do recommend choosing a comparable one that uses water.  Most of them do, but there are some smaller models that use a pad instead and I haven't heard good reviews on those. Here's a few of the oils I prefer.  During the day:

Now Foods Essential Oils, Lemongrass Oil, 1 fl oz

and at bedtime: 

NOW Foods Lavender Oil, 2 ounce 

I also use these two oils for cleaning and making linen spray. They smell heavenly! You can see the details from an older post I shared that was recently included in a feature about bloggers' cleaning tips on Huffington Post, here! Or click on the photo to see my full post. 

Sight: Surround yourself with the things that you find visually comforting.  It could be a favorite collection or fresh flowers, which always make me smile and incidentally, attract the sense of smell, too.  

Sound: Get your jam on! Whether it's praise music, jazz or eighties rock, listening to upbeat music engages the sense of sound.  It has also been linked to surprising other health benefits like pain management, reducing blood pressure, post-stroke recovery and headache remedies--who knew? Read more about it here. I listen to many music genres and have really enjoyed the free downloads Amazon Prime offers.  Membership also includes free photo storage, 2 day shipping and access to their videos and books.  Try it for free here.

One of my favorite sounds...

Next, I think most of us are interested in making healthier choices. Physical activity can actually enhance our senses of touch, smell and sight. I don't know about you, but I find I do sleep better at night when I've included some exercise in my day. Between my Etsy shops and blogging, I spend a great deal of time on the computer and even though I usually begin each day with exercise, there are times when I realize hours have passed with me being sedentary. That's why I treated myself to one of these for Christmas: 

Garmin Vivofit Fitness Band - Teal

I have to tell you--I love it! That little red stripe in the picture will show up as a reminder when I've been inactive.  Then once I get moving, it will go away.  It monitors steps, so it doesn't have to be strenuous exercise to register. Plus, I set my own daily goal for physical activity. Also, did you know it monitors sleep as well?  I have a feeling I'm not the only one who struggles with irregular sleep at times--am I right?  I've found the sleep monitor feature really helpful as it records how many hours of light versus deep sleep I get each night.  It can be synced to your phone or computer so it is really easy to use and I found some cute replacement bands for accessorizing ;) These are the ones I chose, but there is quite a selection of colors and patterns. 

Touch: Last, but certainly not least, sometimes we just need a hug! It may sound cliche, but it's true. For me, this include fellowship whether it is attending my weekly Bible study or going to lunch with a friend. There have been times when I was down, and reaching out to someone else was just what I needed.  You never know when a warm smile, gentle hug or pat on the back might make someone's day.  Consider yourself hugged today! 

What helps you banish the blahs?