Why Our Senses Matter

Our senses matter, allowing us to navigate safely in the world. They’re enjoyable, too, providing opportunities to savor sights, scents, music, and more. These senses can fade as we age, with detrimental effects.

Humans perceive the world through five primary senses – sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch – along with lesser-known senses. The vestibular sense is related to movement and balance. Proprioception helps us track the position of our body parts in space.

Loss of senses and cognitive decline

All of our senses are important, which is most noticeable if we begin to lose one. Commonly, we equate aging with declining vision or hearing, but taste and smell also change .

Research indicates that enhancing the sense of smell may reduce the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The connection may seem tenuous, but a deeper dive shows the links. In fact, the sense of smell is connected to various brain functions, including memory. Losing the sense of smell may even be an early indicator of dementia.

Similarly, using hearing aids may reduce the risk of developing dementia . Recent studies show a significant reduction in cognitive decline in patients who use hearing aids. Loss of hearing often limits social connections , making conversations challenging. Music, too, has a profound impact on those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, often eliciting recognition and excitement from patients who may not remember much else.

A deteriorating vestibular system can contribute to loss of balance and increase the risk of falls. Besides the possible harms from a fall, fear of falling can keep us from living life to the fullest.

The role of touch in mental and physical health

The sense of touch is harder to measure than sight or hearing, but emerging studies explore the benefits of consensual human touch on mental and physical health. Consider how a baby is soothed by being held and gently patted. Similarly, adults often find comfort in a hug or a pat on the back. Research suggests that touch interventions can significantly improve well-being, especially those with physical or mental health issues.

Certain objects can also provide comfort through touch. Some people like to hold natural items such as stones or crystals. Soft, cozy objects like a soft blanket or warm sweater can be soothing, and therapeutic tools such as Thinking Putty, Kinetic Sand, Play-Doh, and weighted sensory blankets are used for their calming effects.

Experiencing pleasure through our senses

One of the most important reasons that senses matter is that we experience pleasure through all of our senses.

• Sight: I enjoy seeing my children, flowers growing in my yard, the livestock on my farm.
• Smell: The aroma of coffee in the morning is one of my favorite smells. I can’t help but run the buds of my lavender plants through my hands every time I pass them for a whiff of their floral scent. The warm smell of vanilla comforts me.
• Hearing: Hearing live music, my kids’ laughter, or people speaking in Spanish – a language I speak fluently – sparks a sense of pleasure for me.
• Taste: I love Asian flavors. Soy, sesame oil, wasabi – even fresh raw fish – all of these are flavors I enjoy.
• Touch: I love putting my hands in the dirt of my garden or playing with sand at the beach.

Exactly why our senses matter can vary, as everyone’s list of pleasurable sensory experiences is unique. Recognizing what makes you happy through your senses can help you cheer up, calm down, and fully experience the world around you.

Author Gretchen Rubin discusses these concepts in her book “Life in Five Senses,” suggesting that by heightening our sensory awareness, we can boost energy levels, enhance perception, and live fuller lives.

Being mindful of our senses and what excites them can significantly benefit our physical and mental health, resulting in a more fulfilling life. In some cases, we can work to strengthen and improve our senses, too, benefiting our health and joy.

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