Sensory Wellness Experiences.
Hypothosis: Sensory based wellness practices and experiences are the most efficient way to improve wellness for most people.
This masters project explored the benefits of using our senses to improve mental and physical wellness. The previous project proposal, researched the link between our senses and health, the impact of covid-19 on personal self care and the wellness industry. The research aims of this project is to investigate wellness practices that immerse the user into a sensory experience. The practices that will be considered are those that could be achieved by most people, regardless of class or creed. Sensory bathing is the core of this research, focusing on the therapeutic results of bathing the senses.
Research.
This research explores how certain sensory practices, provide therapeutic conditions that can improve the wellness of the individual. Specifically considering practices of; immersive experience, sensory bathing, ecotherapy and colour therapy. The reason these practices are so valuable to our senses and well being is, unlike many popular wellness trends and products, these practices don’t require money, digital technology or lots of spare time.
With 1 in 6 people in the UK experiencing common mental health issues, like anxiety and depression in any given week (McManus, 2016). Along with the effects of COVID-19, people are becoming increasingly aware of their own health and the importance of self-care. One study by GSK Healthcare found that 65% of people across all countries tested are now more likely to consider their health in decision making (GSK, 2020).
Due to this ‘epidemic’ of anxiety and health concerns many people have turned to the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness is a perfect example of a practice that can be done without the requirements of money and other luxuries. A practice that has dated back thousands of years and is deep-rooted in culture and religions like Hinduism, arising almost 4000 years ago (Selva, 2017); But has been turned into something that results in multi-million pound companies in the west. There are currently 280 mindfulness apps on iTunes, the most notable being Headspace and Calm - worth £255 million and £787 million respectively (Sykes, 2021).
The wellness economy (any product/service around physical and mental health) has been steadily growing for a number of years, especially since the pandemic, its global market value has now increased to approximately 4.4 trillion (Jones, 2022). There are many issues with this vast wellness industry as previously stated, (requires money, many products dependent on digital technology). As well as many traditional concepts being taken from cultures and monetised.
However, this research shows the other side of wellness, the practices that can be accessed by anyone, anywhere. Those discussed in this project are available mostly free, don’t need digital technology and can be achieved as part of a daily routine, or in a short amount of time. This is important for the rationale of this project, as it is part of the reason this research is so important to the world - showing options for all people, without a price tag or complications.
Sound Bathing:
The notion of using sound as therapy has be used in eastern tradition for centuries, and now within health and wellness practice such as yoga and meditation. Sound bathing is also believed to unblock the bodies energy, or chakras.
The practice of sound bathing is used as a form of therapy that uses specific sound frequencies to encourage wellness. In therapy sessions the use of singing bowls (see below) create a vibrational sound with a small wooden mallet. It is an ancient practice that originates from Tibetan and Himalayan cultures, the singing bowls are used in ceremonies. Tibetan monks have described the bowls to be “the sound of the universe manifesting” (Nunner, 2017). As seen in the images included, other instruments can be used in the session.
Although sound therapy is an ancient eastern practice, it has become somewhat popular in western cultures. Partly due to many of the healing benefits of sound and well being affirmed by modern science. See appendix 11 for experimentation by neuro-electric therapy engineers, that revealed how alpha brainwaves boosted the production of serotonin. According to this study, if your mental health is suffering listen to alpha waves between 8 and 14 Hz, it can increase serotonin. A practice that can be achieved by anyone who can access a music streaming site, or music equipment.
