Milan Noelle

Sensuous (adjective)

Per Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Most think of the word sensuous primarily in the context of sex. As a hyper sexualized American, I’m not interested in talking about it in that way. I want to talk about all the other ways it applies.

This summer I’m inspired to tap into all of my senses more intentionally and deliberately for my health, wellness, and quality of life. Being more sensuous also helps me to be more present and recall experiences and memories better.

Life is so much more than what it looks like.

life is more rich when I consciously engage all of my senses.

It’s closing my eyes for a couple seconds to better experience the flavor/s when something tastes really good. It’s placing my hand over my heart when I’m telling someone how I feel about them. It’s savoring how cool linen sheets feel on my skin when I first slip into bed on a summer night.

As of late when I’m enjoying something, I try to pay attention using all of my senses.

If I went to the ice cream shop for an ice cream cone, outside of the obvious sense of taste, what sounds do I hear as I eat it? Or do I tune them all out to enjoy my sweet treat for a few minutes? Am I on a busy street enjoying it hearing car sounds? Or a quiet area where I can hear the birds chirping? If I’m walking on a busy street while eating it with headphones on, what music is playing?

Can I smell any flowers or plants as I’m walking and enjoying it? Maybe I’m assaulted with a whif of hot NYC trash. Hahaha.

How does the ice cream feel as I eat it? Cool and refreshing? Sweet and nostalgic?

What is the presentation of the ice cream? Soft continuous swirl of soft serve or defined scoops? What toppings are on it? What kind of cone is it (sugar? waffle?)? What textures are involved?

What am I wearing that day?

A step further is the vibration of the ice cream cone. Was the staff member preparing the sweet treat in a good mood? Neutral? Unhappy? If you still your mind enough, these things can be sensed.

Deliberate application

Currently, I’ve been having fun incorporating this while studying for my PMP Certification exam.

I set the mood of calm and openness to learning using all of my senses for my study sessions and I’m enjoying this a lot. I’m procrastinating studying less and I think it’s helping me retain new information better.

I prepare a cup of herbal tea and have a water bottle on hand to sip on. I typically study in the evenings, so I’ll turn on my mood lighting (drawn to red for now) for a calm energy. Sometimes I turn on my essential oil diffusor using a blend called Mental Focus by Now Foods (affiliate link) or burn incense.

I change into comfortable clothing and I gather my hair into a ponytail or a bun so it’s not spilling onto my face distracting me. I put on my blue light blocking glasses and headphones to view the e-course videos or play solfeggio sounds that encourage focus.

Another area to I’ve begun applying this to is during meals.

Unless I’m on vacation, I’m usually not very present when I eat. This is a habit I developed over time, and I want to replace it with one that better supports me. I rarely sit at the kitchen table and I’m doing a million and one things while I’m eating. The TV is on with Youtube going and I’m glued to my phone checking emails, texting, or scrolling.

Sometimes I can’t even tell you what I ate or what it tasted like. I can absentmindedly eat which often results in over eating because I’m not really paying attention.

I recently started with dinner meals. I set my table place and lit a candle (I turned on a fake one). My phone was away and I ate in silence. Next time I think I’ll play soft music though.

Since starting this, I noticed that I’m chewing my food more and slower. I’m not shoveling it into my mouth and scarfing it down. Because of this, I become full faster and eat less food in the sitting. I feel less bloated or not at all; I feel satiated and stop eating.

More examples of sensuous living

Sensuous living is meant to be applied in all areas of our lives. Below are some more examples of ways to consciously incorporate sensuous living.

Being out in nature almost always unlocks deliberate sensuousness. It engages all of your senses from the wind caressing our face to the sights, smells, and sounds.

Exercising. Feeling your heart beat, hearing whatever playlist you’ve got going, smelling the rubber flooring if you’re in a gym or plants if you’re outside, feeling your feet hit the pavement, trail, or sand while you walk or run, etc.

Lighting a scented candle and sitting in a designated chair or area while reading.

Setting the mood for when it’s time to do chores around the house. Get your playlist going or maybe you listen to an audio book or podcast. Set a timer. Maybe you have a house work “outfit” or “uniform” you wear. What types of scented or unscented cleaning products will you use?

— For me growing up, my family and I did household chores on Saturday mornings. We ate a light breakfast for fuel and wore “house clothes” that we didn’t care if they got dirty or stained. Anita Baker started playing throughout the house and we knew it was time to clean. After we finished, we’d eat lunch together and carry on with the day. Check out my Saturday Morning Chores playlist below to hear what I grew up listening to doing chores.

Taking a shower or bath. Prefer silence or music? Scented body and skin care products or no? Body creams, oils, or lotions? Bar soap or liquid soap? How do those products make us feel? Energized? Relaxed? Maybe we have a designated bathrobe that we slip on after we’re all clean.

The possibilities are endless and are customizable to your needs. They also don’t have to cost a lot or any money at all sometimes.

Make it yours

Whatever it is for you, experiment with different things and observe ways you already cultivate sensuous living in your day to day life. Whatever ways you choose, make them yours. It doesn’t have to look or feel like anyone else’s. It just has to engage with all of YOUR senses and align with how YOU want to feel. There’s no universal “right” or “proper” way to participate in sensuous living.

We were gifted all of these senses for a reason. Why not strategically harness and allow them to enhance and support our quality of life?

What does sensuous living look and feel like for you?