In Gretchen Rubin’s book ‘Life in Five Senses’, she challenges the reader to heighten our senses and use our powers of perception to live fuller, richer lives—and, ultimately, how to move through the world with more vitality and love.
While reading the book, I was struck by the ways that alcohol can impact our five senses; both literally and figuratively. I thought of ways that we can dull our vitality by numbing our senses, and the ways that we can rediscover the beauty and wonder when we break free from booze.
In this episode of The Sober Edge podcast, I share the ways that alcohol dulls our senses. For example, our taste buds become desensitized by alcohol (so much for the expensive wine and food pairings), and as our central nervous system slows down under the effects of alcohol, we stumble, experience blurred vision and speak louder because our hearing is less sensitized.
Even more profound is what alcohol does to the vitality of life; with alcohol, we are literally numbing our human responses to the wonder and awe of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. I remember late-night snacks I hardly tasted, expensive concerts where I didn’t really hear the music and Hawaiian sunsets that seemed so-so. And, because I was so used to this one-dimensional response to the world, I didn’t even realize all that I was missing.
The good news is this: when we take a break from alcohol, all of our senses are restored in time. The body is capable of so much healing and repair. Our taste buds come back, our vision is improved, and our hearing can once again register normal ranges. But, even more beautiful is the ways in which we return to ourselves and rediscover the beauty of life.
Imagine this:
- We can ‘see’ with clarity what is really going on in our lives.
- We can learn to use our sense of hearing to truly listen and communicate.
- Our taste buds can help us find delicious AF beverages and healthy snacks.
- We can actually ‘get in touch’ with ourselves
- Our heightened sense of smell can ground us in the present moment, making us feel more alive and more peaceful.
I hope you will consider spending a few days (perhaps 5) to get back in touch with your 5 senses. Maybe you will take a walk and listen with new-found wonder to the sounds of nature. Maybe you will treat yourself to a massage or pedicure and enjoy touch. Or, try a kombucha tasting! There is no end to the way we can explore our senses and sensations when alcohol-free.
This episode was inspired by the book of the month for The Sober Edge Book Club: find out more information and how to join : THE SOBER EDGE BOOK CLUB
