SENSORY EXPLORATION

SENSORY PROCESSING & INTEGRATION

SENSORY PROCESSING

And why its beneficial

SENSORY INTEGRATION

Sensory processing focuses on the interaction between thresholds for incoming sensory input and the behavioral response outcome. Everyone has a different level threshold for certain sensory stimuli which may cause various reactions. Sensory modulation difficulties in adulthood often interfere with people's ability to work, socialize, or participate in meaningful occupations.

Sensation determines the way people experience the world around them and silently affects all occupations people endure. Neuroscientists describe sensory integration as a neurological process that organizes sensations from the body and the environment. Sensations are key for human survival as they play a part in alertness, attention, and interactions between people and the environment. Any small dysfunction in this system can impact an individual's occupational participation and performance.

(Cole & Tufano, 2020)

WHAT ROLE DOES NATURE PLAY?

Nature is a complex environment with an abundance of unpredictable variables. Depending on whether you go to the beach, forest, snow, or desert, you are bound to have different sensory inputs and responses. Have you ever wondered how some people survive the cold Alaska? Well, their sensory processing and integration of the cold have a much higher threshold than other individuals. The external environment provides us the opportunity to connect and modulate incoming sensations which correlate with temperament, and personality factors such as anxiety, stress, agitation, depression, and self-esteem. Keeping that in mind, a peaceful, quiet, fresh-smelling, white-noise environment such as nature may positively impact self-identity and personality traits.

(Cole & Tufano, 2020)

WHAT TO EXPLORE WHEN CAMPING

Camping is the perfect opportunity to explore your sensory threshold for certain items in the natural environment. While camping, feel the sensations, take in the natural world, and process how it makes you feel. Go regulate your sensory needs on your next adventure! Here are some items to explore and focus on:

• The sound of the wind blowing through the trees

• The sound of the leaves and pebbles crunching under your feet

• The sound of the birds and squirrels

• The smell of the fresh air, pine trees, ocean, etc.

• The smell of the campfire

• The smell of the neighboring campsite cooking food

• The feel of the sun rays or crisp cold air on your skin

• The feel of the dirt, trees, rocks, leaves, and branches

• The feel of water nearby

THE LIST IS ENDLESS!!! Soak it all up, be creative, and reflect on how it makes you feel! I hope you experience a sense of grounding and peace with whatever threshold you discover.

SENSORY DEFINTIONS

Sensory Integration: The interaction among all of the sensory systems to produce foundational skills of posture, movement, cognitive development, and to make adaptive responses to physical and social environments.

Sensory Modulation: Combines facilitatory and inhibitory messages that act upon sensations being relayed to the brain, promoting the process of central nervous system self-organization.

Sensory Regulation: Through experience and practice, clients learn to control their own physical and emotional responses to sensory stimulation within various environments and situations during daily occupations.

Sensory Responsiveness: The way a person manages the intensity of changing sensory conditions from body and environment.

Sensory Discrimination: Ability to recognize and respond to variations in sensory stimuli, necessary for awareness of the position of one's body in relationship to environment, and to others.

(Cole & Tufano, 2020)

BE SAFE WITH WILDLIFE

Wildlife is not your friend! Most animals are just as scared of you as you are of them. But to be safe:

• Don't pet or feed any wildlife (cute or not)

• Keep your own pets close to you and on a leash

• Lock your food and scented belongings up in a bear box or hang 12 ft up in a tree when not being used

• ALWAYS BRING BEAR AND BUG SPRAY!!! (Bear spray is not allowed in California National Parks)