I wanted to take the opportunity to follow up on Lovella’s article and look further into the specific topic of how stress and trauma affect the entire sensory system. Researchers discovered that individuals who have experienced chronic stress “have difficulty modulating incoming sensory and emotional stimuli, contributing to chronic hyper-arousal.” This chronic state of being activated can lead to a poor ability to self-regulate resulting in feeling physically and emotionally overwhelmed. As Lovella taught us in the last article, EMDR is one approach which helps us process traumatic experiences. Sensory Integration is another way we can also help our brain reprocess our experiences, leading to better quality of life.
Before our brain creates a chronic behavioral response to a stressful event, our sensory system is actually the first to receive and process any situation that we encounter in our life. This first happens in our brain stem (a very basic and automatic part of our brain), then sends more information to complex parts of the brain. Our general senses of touch, sight, smell, hearing, or taste give us information about what we are experiencing as well as 3 other senses: Interoception – Sense of Our Internal Organs, Proprioceptive– Sense of Body Awareness Vestibular– Sense of Balance and Movement.
What is key to understanding the connection between chronic stress and our sensory system, is knowing we have the ability to regulate ourselves by first recognizing what our sensory system is feeling, through the process of “Embodiment”: being in a state where the mind/brain is oriented in physical space by receiving and processing all the senses we feel. Embodiment is the first step to providing the brain a “jumping off point” for higher brain function, because it puts our attention and intentions in deliberate thought and action. When we practice being present in our sensations we encourage a re-connection with our body. Embodiment allows our brainstem to reset the way it receives information and promotes the sensory system to respond more positively to the way we experience the world. It is especially beneficial to strengthen this connection through touch and movement.
Our sensory systems were created and established while we were young, however it is a system that changes over time. I encourage you to start to “play” in ways we did as children: swinging, playing with sand or playdough, playing group games that require movement, coloring, or any way to explore your environment that is positive to you. Some other ideas to incorporate into your routine: eating your favorite food with your eyes closed fully experiencing the taste sensation, dancing to your favorite song focusing on the positive feelings in your body, taking a walk outside while touching/smelling the plants interesting to you. These activities will help you gain more self-control & give you a better “sense of self.”
Occupational Therapists take a close look at an individual’s sensory and occupational profile to determine which areas an individual would benefit from addressing. As adults, we often forget how to incorporate “play” into our busy schedules, yet it is a critical part of a person’s daily function. If you are interested in further exploring your sensory system or would like some additional play techniques, please reach out to Rachel or Caity. I hope you all have a wonderful time remembering how to “play like a kid” again!!