In the relentless pursuit of success (a definition which is always down to an individual's perception), I've often found myself pushing boundaries and driven by an insatiable desire to achieve more. This drive, while propelling me forward, sometimes led me to overlook the subtle signals my body and mind were sending. It wasn’t until I truly paused to listen—to stop, inhale, and reset—and shared a meaningful exchange with my mother, that I began to understand the profound impact of our senses on our well-being.

The irony is that as someone who would have previously boasted about strength, resilience and other qualities, I am much quieter now, more focused on the determination to leave a meaningful legacy. Does this viewpoint only come with age? Knowing the only people who may even bother to remember me are my three children, why does my personal drive to put back into society feel so tough and sometimes lonely? Why does it feel like too many people have self-interest at heart—am I missing something? (I usually am!)

The Power of Our Senses

Traditionally, we recognise the five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell, with each playing a pivotal role in how we interact with the world. Sight and hearing dominate our daily experiences, guiding our decisions and shaping our perceptions. Touch offers comfort and connection, while taste and smell evoke memories and emotions.

As part of my own journey, I invest in movement, health, and wellbeing products. I've found tools like a recovery aromatherapy balm invaluable for supporting emotional equilibrium. I invest time in myself to fuel the engine that supports the mind—possibly more driven than I would like to admit. I do this to keep my mind sharp and brain engaged. I don’t want to check out of continued learning, not ever.

The more I consider the drive of adopting speedier shortcuts, the more I recognise the great importance of teaching healthy skills and habits. Products like a self-care relaxation balm or herbal wellness balm can be simple tools for encouraging mindfulness, offering small, tangible ways to engage with our senses.

In our modern, fast-paced lives, we often neglect our senses, leading to a disconnect between our bodies and minds. This disconnection can manifest as stress, anxiety, or burnout—states where simple supports like a focus balm or anxiety relief balm can make a real difference.

Rediscovering Common Sense

Through my entrepreneurial journey, detailed in More Balls Than Most, I've learned that success isn't just about relentless ambition. It's about balance, intuition, and importantly, common sense.

This "sixth sense" isn't innate; it's cultivated through experiences, reflections, and, sometimes, failures. The talk of gut feel is very real. I have said many a time, when I ignore the gut, I suffer. Recognising one’s boundaries, personal awareness of our own fallibilities, and learning to know what we love doing is all part of a life journey.

I was lucky through my father’s bankruptcy to start enterprise games early. I did not feel lucky at the time. One of the most transformative habits I've adopted is the practice of pausing—taking a moment to breathe deeply, centre myself, and recalibrate. Products like my Scentered sleep well balm have become part of my nightly "reset" ritual.

This simple act of stopping, inhaling, and resetting has been instrumental in maintaining my mental and emotional equilibrium. I do not just mean maintaining; I mean doing differently—smelling the roses, taking time to walk and visit a Saturday market, complete time off digital, not answering the endless often drivel of WhatsApp.

I learned early at the BGP at Cranfield the value of visual impact. Some say up to 80% of what we are taking in comes in visual format. It’s no surprise then that we want video and reels, and our attention span shortens—we are impacted much faster than we would admit.

Integrating Sensory Awareness into Daily Life

Integrating sensory mindfulness into daily life is a great way to appreciate what is going on around us and retain balance. Incorporating products like a focus balm or herbal wellness balm during moments of stillness can enhance these sensory resets.

For instance:

l  Sight: Taking regular breaks to rest our eyes, especially when working on screen. Get up, wander around. Change the place.

l  Hearing: I love listening to the birds. Others enjoy calming music, but I have seen the joy of my parents from the smallest experiences watching nature. Hearing the sounds of a woodpecker brings joy to any run.

l  Touch: I find it fascinating and unbelievably powerful. The meaning of a hug alone. Engaging in activities like yoga (mine is more of a gentle body-stretching, unfolding, and easing into the day…) or massage are wonderful ways to reconnect with our bodies.

l  Taste and smell: I have learnt a lot about this recently. Not having noticed these senses too much earlier in my life, as I have always said that I do not care much about food, seeing it as fuel for the body to achieve. With a chef in the family now, seeing and appreciating the detail—savouring meals with passion—is a new education. Another daughter is big on appreciating flavours and textures of food…I still don’t quite get the texture bit. (Might I be in too much of a hurry?)

I understand using aromatherapy to evoke positive emotions and mood change, and products like recovery aromatherapy balm really support this. Actually, I know the routine of starting with a "Stop" is a game-changing lesson for performance, and I wish this was taught in school.

By consciously engaging our senses, we can foster a deeper connection with ourselves, leading to enhanced well-being and productivity. In a world that often values speed over sensibility, it's crucial to remember the importance of pausing and tuning into our senses.

By doing so, with simple aids like a de stress balm or a self-care relaxation balm, we not only nurture our mental and emotional health but also cultivate the common sense needed to navigate life's challenges effectively.

Did you give yourself a proper break this Easter holiday? Perhaps you still can?

-Lara Morgan, Founder of Scentered