Did you know, the sense of smell retains our longest lasting memories?

This week, you will connect with your senses and your center as you explore your grief. Our senses can help connect to memories as much as be a tool for our relaxation.

Now, you have been busy realizing memories. This is intentional in your grief work. It’s important to take each aspect of grief in manageable parts.

I encourage you to look through your Collecting Memories Journal that was introduced earlier. Hopefully, you continue to add to this journal throughout this course as new memories come forward. Do any of the memories spark or light up one of your senses? Or maybe there is just one little piece that you can visit now that you are in a different place in your grief.

Revisit your pressure point activity. See if there are any sensory pressure points or sensory aspects to help you deepen your awareness of what hurts in your grief. A sensory awareness of pressure points or ways to de-escalate can only help you.

Oh my goodness, the seasons are full of sensory elements. Look back at your work for some ideas.

• the kiss of the sun or the coolness of the air in autumn,
• the smell of dirt, elephant ears, burning leaves, ocean air or snickerdoodles
• the sound of birds in the spring, lawn mowers in the summer, dogs barking, people talking or airplanes overhead
• the taste of a cool beverage, a beloved family recipe, or even blood in the mouth after an injury or mouth surgery
• the sight of all sorts of landscape, a favorite color, the changing of leaves, the spectacle of specific holidays or the growing of a family.

Simply look back through the photos you have been taking. The photos are full of wisdom from you.

Your activity is a handout to walk your memory through the senses of sight, taste, smell, hearing and feeling.

Print out the handout: Multisensory Memories

Revisit See, Hear, Feel 5-4-3-2-1

I’m attaching the See, Hear, Feel 5-4-3-2-1 coping strategy for you again. There isn’t a better time than now to remind you that you have this multi-sensory tool in your tool kit.

If you didn’t try it earlier, give it a go now.

Your focus and self awareness are more available now than when you were initially introduced to the skill.

Handout: See hear feel 5 4 3 2 1