It’s an extraordinary treat to spend a night at a five-star hotel. Floating in the outdoor whirlpool revealed just how much.
The air was cold but carried the freshness of the snow and the surrounding Austrian mountains. A tad of smoke from a nearby fire came with the scent of burning wood. I could feel the wetness of my hair, and, of course, I was mostly submerged in water. The pool was warm, and the bubbles kept massaging my skin. The visuals were nothing to scoff at either. A big mountain range covered in conifers, snowy peaks, and a quaint town in the valley below.
It was a lot to take in—but by no means sensory overload. It all came together in perfect harmony. “How many senses can you engage at which intensity at the same time?” I wondered. The fortunate situation I was in seemed to hint that more was possible than I had previously imagined.
More importantly, however, I learned that it’s good to fully engross the senses from time to time—and of course you don’t need to stay in a five-star hotel to do so. Sitting on the bare grass with a cool drink while the insects buzz around you and the flowers stand in full bloom. Feeling the wind on a carriage ride or open-air drive with music blasting from the speakers. Enjoying a massage with soft sounds and essential oils. Many such experiences are freely accessible, and if you get a little creative, you can design your own.
A few times a year, treat yourself to a sensory check-in. Go full throttle on all five faculties, and you’ll find yourself rejuvenated, inspired, and brimming with new life force for your next adventure.
