The five senses are our brain's main way of collecting information about our immediate environment. They have a powerful effect on our moods, cognition, and the way we experience the world. They are also integral to the way we sleep and deal with insomnia. I recently met Gretchen Rubin and read her latest book Life in Five Senses. In this episode, we will explore heightening and honing our five senses as a portal for improving our sleep and managing insomnia. In this episode we will:

• Discuss visualization and rehearsal as a means to relax and combat insomnia
• Explore the creation of an Auditory Hypnotic playlist and how curating music/songs that relax you can be a helpful tool to set the stage for improved sleep
• Review the current data on white noise and its effects on sleep outcomes
• Discuss smell and olfaction as a tool for sleep
• Evaluate different novel smells and their relative effects on sleep and insomnia
• Revisit tart cherry juice and other pre-bedtime drinks as a way to establish routine via taste
• Introduce the concept of "sleep-touch" and review a recent study about how it effects the sleep of couples

Produced by: Maeve Winter

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• The Sleep Solution and The Rested Child

Thanks for listening and sleep well!