In addition to their utilitarian functions senses provide satisfaction, pleasure, and physical and psychological well-being. Observing a forest in the midst of rocky mountains, listening to a concert, enjoying the beauty and aroma of flowers at dusk, tasting an exotic fruit shake, or feeling the ocean waves caress our back at the beach are all experiences that contribute to our mental health.
We will do well to enjoy our senses in order to attain mental balance. But, be careful with extremes! Too much pleasure may make us lose our sensibility or may even hurt us.
VISION
Your sense of vision is the greatest window to the outer world. It also provides the most of all the senses. Through vision one can contemplate the beautiful things in the environment. Vision can be entertaining and bring about mental peace, especially when contemplating things in nature, in their original state. Make plans to go our to the country. Surround yourself with natural environments and use time to enjoy the sea, tree, plants, the skies, clouds, mountains, rivers, animals etc.
The city dweller can also enjoy a clean and balanced urban landscape, through buildings, monuments, art and other man-made objects. the mix of shapes and colours will directly affect your mood. Light and colour are basic elements in life. Colours can relax you and stimulate you. thus they affect your behaviour. It is known that certain colours generate sensations that help gland secretions and variations in blood pressure. It is called colour therapy. The underlisted are colours and their effects on our life:
Red - Warm colour that favours adrenaline secretion, raises blood pleasure and stimulates circulation. It entices the senses, causing one to remain active and dynamic. It is recommended for shy people or those experiencing a low mood.
Orange - A mix of red and yellow, it softens the strength of red without cancelling it. It favours optimism and activity. an energetic, brilliant and cordial colour.
Yellow - Because of its brightness, it is ideal for the depressed person. It is inviting when combined with some red tone. Its liveliness entices optimism. Too much of it, like that of light, may produce fatigue.
Blue - Cold colour that invites serenity and relaxation. It reduces blood pressure and slows down metabolism. It is advisable for persons who feel nervous to surround themselves with bluetone objects.
Green - Made up of blue and yellow, it is a very balanced colour, and produces a serene mood. It is a natural colour, favouring rest and serving as an antidote against stress.
Purple - It is widely utilised in religious contexts, as it invites silence, serenity, and concentration. Excessive exposure to this colour may cause depression as this is an intimidating colour.
Black - It actually is the absense of colour. It portrays sobriety, limited tones and therefore discipline and self-determination. Black causes sorrow, since, like all dark colours, it limits space and makes it appear smaller. This colour may produce discomfort and even tiredness.
White - Unlike black, white contains all colours in the same proportion. It is therefore equated to balance. It makes defects obvious and offers the impression of purity and simplicity.
HEARING
Nature provides a source of spirit soothing sounds. A river or waterfall, the wind, the rain and the singing of birds are all examples of relaxing sounds that bring about not only pleasure, but also serenity.
Music is also a blessing to mental health. since ancient times, music has been utilised to lift up the spirit, bring about mental peace or set up a specific emotional state.
Music also affects a number of physiological functions, such as blood pressure, the dilation of the respiratory pathways and the production of hormones.
Under experimental condition, several effects of music upon patients with a variety of ailment have been observed. results were amazing.
EFFECTS OF MUSIC TO THE HEALTH
The following are some of the effect of music upon various area of health:
1. Pain reduction - in geriatric patients with arthritis (McCaffrey, 2003). Participants in this study were administered a 20 minute musical session every day and they were compared to a control group exposed to environmental silence during the same time. The elderly people who had been under the music condition attained 66% pain reduction according to themselves, and 50% reduction according to the control group that experienced pain at the same level.
2. Stress treatment - Elementary teachers (Cheek et al., 2003). A team of researcher carried out a comparison among teachers undergoing clinical psychological treatment for stress. Half of the group received psychotherapy accompanied by music. The other half received the same intervention but without music. The first group achieved stress reduction in a significantly greater than the second group.
SOME RECOMMENDED THERAPEUTIC MUSICS
For relaxation - Debussy' Claire de lune, Albinoni's Adagio
For Stimulation - Verdi's Triumphal March, Handel's Water Music, Elgar's Promp and circumstance March No.1
For sleeping - Massenet's Meditation of Thais, Nocturnal (by several composers)
Music to soothe anxiety - Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Rodrigo's Aranjuez Concerto.
TASTE
Taste has a basic protective function: it alerts us of food in bad condition and may even guide the nutritional needs of someone suffering from malnutrition. Moreover, taste is a source of pleasure.
In order to take maximum advantage of this sense then you eat, it is important to try the following:
Be moderate - The secret of enjoying food is to eat moderate amounts. Gourmets preserve an exquisite palate because they know how to stop eating on time.
Practice simplicity - Exercise the taste of simple flavours. salty, sweet, sour or spicy foods in excess saturate taste, leading to lack of sensitivity and preventing the enjoyment of natural and simple food.
Eat slowly - chew slowly, eat in a relaxed mood, with good company and without any rush. this will help you enjoy and notice the satisfaction point on time.
TOUCH
The sense of touch reaches all corners of the body surface. It is extremely useful to alert us of any danger coming from extreme environmental temperature or direct contact. It may also be a source of pleasure, as its coverage is so extensive.
There are many pleasurable sensations that promote physical and mental health and are directly related to the tactile sense: water baths, sun bathing, wind, breeze. etc.
Types of Touch categorically
1. Interpersonal touch - Massage with your couple, Hug your children and family, walk holding hands, display kind and warm greetings with others - shake hands, kiss, hug etc).
2. Personal touch - Bath with water at pleasant temperature, enjoy breeze or soft wind on face and body, go out and sunbathe, spread hydrating cream over your body.
SENSE OF SMELL
This is the preparation of special ambience that can be remembered for a many years. The use of air freshners and perfumes can be strongly associated with life experiences and memories that can be retrieved easily with the presence of the odour.
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