If you didn’t know this already, this podcast is truly a week-by-week sharing of my own reading and writing life, what I’m learning and how I’m growing in my own restorative practice.

I talk about the books I’m actually reading, the things I’m actually writing and the ways I’m furthering my own knowledge in this little niche that I love so much.

This week is no exception.

I stumbled upon a key piece of research that could be the one thing standing in your way of a reading and writing life that is interesting and passes the time to a restorative reading and writing practice that actually calms your nervous system and makes you feel better.

As a quick review, there are a few key steps to a restorative reading and writing practice that alchemizes the healing power of them both:

* Carve out a block of time and create soothing conditions to read and write.

* Choose the book or passage that you need right now in this season of life.

* Read with an open mind and heart.

* Write about the nudges you feel in your body and mind.

* Take inspired action from the page to make life better.

As is with many things, the first step can be the hardest part: finding the time and creating the optimal conditions for your own reading and writing. But honestly, if we do, such beautiful changes can happen in your mind, body and life, especially when we layer our reading and writing practices with soothing signals from our senses.

Why?

Well, I used to think it was because those sensory signals provided a soothing message to our nervous systems that we could calm down and sink into our practice, elevating our reading and writing experience. And that is still true. But I know know it is much, much more than that.

The sensory layers we add to our practice actually signal SAFETY to our bodies.

Let me explain, courtesy of my learning from Brett Larkin in HEALING WITH SOMATIC YOGA, a book from my RELEASE book apothecary this month:

Our bodies do not speak in words. That’s why, even though we truly want to, we can’t tell it to stop worrying and to stop overthinking and to stop ruminating and have it easily respond. It simply cannot listen to us in the language we are using.

Why?

Because it speaks a different language: the language of movement, sensation, breath, sound and touch. When we speak in THAT language and give our body messages at the somatic and sensory level, our bodies can finally listen. That’s why paying close attention to the sensory elements in our restorative reading and writing practice is critical.

Armed with this new information, I think it’s the perfect time to take a sensory audit of our current restorative practice and give it a bit of a refresh for the Spring season. To begin, take an honest look at your current reading and writing practices:

* What signals of safety are you currently providing your system during your reading and writing time?

* How do they align to the season of the calendar we are in to take advantage of Mother Nature’s rhythms?

Take a minute and list some ideas for your own personal practice and then borrow some from my own brainstorming below:

Sight: Spring invites us to notice nature and the world around us.

* Take your practice outside or read and writing with a visible view of the outdoor world.

* Add a plant or flower to your reading and writing space.

* Choose books, notebooks and bookish bling with Spring-like colors.

Hearing: Spring invites us to listen to sounds of renewal and growth.

* Read outside and listen to the birdsong or play nature-infused audio tracks while reading and writing.

* Press play on a nature-themed ASMR room on YouTube.

Smell: Spring invites us to embrace the scents of the blooming season.

* Diffuse fruity and floral flavors in your essential oil diffuser.

* Light a citrus, floral or minty candle while reading and writing.

Taste: Spring invites us to explore personal flavors of joy and presence.

* Choose a beverage or snack that feels like comfort and presence for you, even if not aligned to the Spring flavor profile.

* Experiment with Spring flavor drinks, like flowery herbal teas or LMNT (my favorite is citrus and lemonade!).

Touch: Spring invites us to ground ourselves in the physical world.

* Read with your bare feet touching the grass for additional grounding.

* Read with a natural stone to rub for presence.

These are just a few of the ideas I’m trying in my own personal practice and I’d love to know your recommendations, too. Leave your thoughts in the comments below and let’s build a restorative Spring reading and writing practice together!

Here are the other episodes mentioned in the podcast:

E218: Why a Personal Curriculum Isn’t a Book Apothecary & Why That Matters

E202: Create a Restorative Reading & Writing Altar

Let’s Work Together!

I love to connect with others around our shared love of reading and writing.

Here are some ways we can work together to create a life you love where restorative reading and writing is at the center of it all:

🩷 Join my private Substack community for themed book calendars, bonus posts, book clubs and events each month!

📚 Connect 1:1 for personalized coaching to unlock the transformative power of your reading and writing life. Click here for bibliotherapy and click here for expressive writing therapy. Let’s work together!

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E226: Why Sensory Layers Matter in Restorative Practice: Spring Edition