5 Senses Self Care For 2026

5 Senses Self Care Takes Mindfulness To A New Level

Mindfulness for enhanced wellness is trending everywhere, but how can you apply it to 5 senses self care? The whole mindfulness craze is all about being aware of what’s around you, and what you are doing to increase gratitude and appreciation. Mindfulness is also used for stress reduction and there are plenty of courses available to learn how to use mindfulness to ease stress.

5 Senses Self Care 1: What You See

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You can search for beauty in your everyday and elevate your mood. Here are a few things you can do to see beauty all around you and feel better no matter what’s happening around you.

If you are outside, look at the sky for color and cloud movement. See the birds and animals. These can bring joy no matter the season.

If you’re not outside looking at the sky and trees and nature, order is our favorite option for mindful visual self care. Dishes piled up in the sink? Bed unmade? Clutter all around? These are all forms visual pollution and affect your mood. No kidding. Want to feel better and see beauty in your home?

1. Throw out the garbage. 2. Clean up the kitchen. 3. Pick up your clothes. Make your bed. 4. Unclutter your favorite spot. What you see now provides visual self-care. Add a plant and the feeling of accomplishment will be proof of the effort.

5 Senses Self Care 2: What You Hear

What are you listening to and what do you hear that affects your emotions? Let’s fact it. You are surrounded by noises, some of which are the worst kind. You can block them out and change what you hear. How about negative self talk. That’s what you tell yourself, and a great step forward in 2026 would be to stop listening.

But there is other kind of negative talk going around. Negative talk in the media is vying for your attention, your engagement, and ultimately your unhappiness. Hearing loud music can also bring you down.

Mindful self care here is all about what you choose to listen to and what you are hearing deep inside your brain and heart. Change the tapes running in your head and start using positive self talk.Yes, you can limit your news and scrolling time. You can choose lighter listening fare that is affirming of optimism and hope.

5 Senses Self Care 3: What You Smell

We love the smells of bacon and bread baking. They cheer us up. Those are food scents, and there are literally thousands of food scents that bring joy, and some that repel us. What food or beverage scents lifts your spirits that you smell every day? The scents of orange blossoms, of coffee, and even tea in the afternoon are positive triggers of emotional wellbeing for us. We also love the smell of the dish soap we use. It makes washing dishes pleasant for us. These are some smells are comfort to our noses that we experience every day.

Self care for what your smell is about savoring those scents you love when they waft near. And also using scents you love to heighten your mood. We use dish soap as an example of a scent that enhances a task that brings a feeling of accomplishment. What tasks and scents can you combine to bring mindfulness and self care to the scents you smell?

5 Senses Self Care 4: What You Touch

Soft and silky; warm and wet. Warm or cold. In the summer the touch of something cool or cold brings relief from the heat. In winter the touch of something warm brings relief from the cold. A hug brings reassurance that you are loved. Who brings the best hugs in your life? Are you a hugger or a shover? Think about how other people touch you, and how you touch others. Touch is comforting or anxiety making.

Self care when in comes to touch is all about bringing comfort. Soft pajamas, soft sweaters. Soft throws to cover your feet. The operative word is soft for comfort. Warm water is great in winter. But swimming in summer calls for cooler water. A punch is always a punch. A loving pat is always a comfort.

5 Senses Self Care 5: What You Taste

Here, there are some caveats and warnings to keep in top of mind because self care and mindfulness when it comes to mouth feel is not about bringing your favorite foods to your mouth. There can be problems with eating to feel good.

So here’s the question. Can you enjoy foods that are in your second rung of delightfully tasty? Can you love the taste of a carrot or a salad and have those crunchy foods as your mindful self care in taste? Trust us, we know that food and taste are challenges for everyone. Sadly, comfort foods like chips and mac and cheese do not always bring comfort. They can make us feel bloated…and guilty. And bring on the unwanted calories as well as sugar rollercoaster highs and lows.

So, we know that not every delightful taste is good for you or will promote wellbeing. Here we need to consider our goals when it comes to eating, and our ability to self regulate. We all love sugar and fatty foods and fry ups. But they are not great for our wellbeing. Think about these substitutions.

Substitution is where we may need to consider changes. Take the food and body Quiz to learn your food story.

Healthy Food Substitutes

Snacks & Drinks

Instead of Chips/Salty Snacks: Nuts, seeds, raw veggies (carrots, bell peppers) with hummus, air-popped popcorn, or whole-grain crackers.
Instead of Soda/Juice: Water with lemon/cucumber, unsweetened tea, or sparkling water.
Instead of Candy/Muffins: Fresh fruit, dark chocolate (70%+ cocoa), or a small portion of fruit/nut bars.