Sensing is an extraordinary ability!  It is critical to our physical survival in some obvious ways, but also in some more subtle ways - and it is an important piece of our emotional health and overall wellbeing too.
   Usually when we think of our senses, five come to mind - seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touch.  These basic senses are sources of survival information, as well as sources of general pleasure.  We can smell a gas leak and freshly baked bread; hear a fire alarm and an orchestral symphony; taste gone/going bad meat and a succulent peach; see an oncoming vehicle when we cross the street and a bright full moon; feel the nearness of a hot stove top and the embrace of someone we love.    
   These are important, but there is much more to sensing than this.  In fact, our first sense to really develop in the womb is that of perceiving motion.  The vestibular system of the inner ear tells about movement and is critical in development of neuro pathways throughout the brain and body.
   All our individual cells are constantly sensing.  They detect the temperature around us and make adjustments to keep our body temperature steady.  They detect amounts and types of light that set our circadian rhythms.  They detect other sources of energy in our environment like electro-magnetic frequencies and ultraviolet light. 
   How does all this sensing relate to our overall wellbeing?  How do we use these senses to our maximum benefit?  A good illustration comes from the story of Goldilocks - our care of the senses has to be JUST RIGHT!  Too much or too little input will eventually mess things up! 
   Too much loud sound leads to hearing loss, adds to our overall stress levels and can lead to ill-tempered behaviors.  Our eyes are constantly taking in information and overuse can lead to headaches, poor vision and fatigue.  We're still discovering the potential hazards of exposures to various radiation frequencies.
   On the other hand, too little stimulation of the vestibular system (our motion sensor), can limit neural connections and brain development.  Called S-SADS (somato-sensory affectional deprivation syndrome), this lack can lead to depression, violence and/or addictions as we attempt to create alternate stimulation.  Some feel this is what is feeding our obsession with extreme sports and activities like skydiving, bungee jumping, roller coasters and snowboarding.  The lack of touch is well-documented as a cause of death in infants.  It adds to depression in isolated, ill and elderly people. 
   To maximize the wellness of our sensing, then, we need to strike a balance between exercising those senses and allowing them rest time.  Overuse and abuse will damage their ability to function - to our possibly life-threatening detriment, or at least at the expense of our enjoyment and appreciation of all forms of beauty around us.  Lack of use may cause them to atrophy, like unused muscles.  Use it or lose it may apply here too!
   Some suggestions for sensory wellness:
 * Palm your eyes (rub your hands together to warm them, then cup your palms over your closed eyes, gently imagine complete blackness for 2-3 minutes).
 * Get a massage.
 * Spend an evening without the TV or radio on.
 * Hug your family and friends every day - and tell them you love them!