The Nervous System’s Best Friend: Why Sensory Input Matters
Have you ever noticed how a warm cup of tea, the feel of a soft blanket, or the scent of lavender can bring a sense of calm? That’s no accident. These small sensory experiences can have a powerful impact on how we feel — physically, emotionally, and mentally.
At the heart of this process is the nervous system, our body’s internal communication network. It constantly receives, interprets, and responds to input from the world around us — and much of that input comes through our senses.
Sensory Input and the Brain-Body Connection
Sensory input — the information we take in through sight, sound, smell, touch, taste, and movement — plays a central role in how the brain regulates the body. It influences everything from our alertness levels and emotional responses to our ability to feel safe and grounded.
When our sensory system is working in harmony, it supports what’s called nervous system regulation — the ability to shift between states of alertness and calm appropriately. For example, upbeat music might help lift us out of lethargy, while deep pressure (like a weighted blanket or a hug) can help ease anxiety.
On a neurological level, sensory input affects the autonomic nervous system, which includes:
The sympathetic nervous system (our “fight or flight” response),
The parasympathetic nervous system (our “rest and digest” response), and
The social engagement system (which helps us connect and feel safe with others).
When we receive the right kind of input at the right time, it can signal to the brain: You’re safe. You can settle.
Why Sensory Regulation Matters in Therapy
For people who have experienced trauma, high stress, or ongoing emotional dysregulation, their nervous systems often live in a state of heightened alert or shutdown. In these states, talk-based interventions alone may not be enough.
This is where sensory regulation can play a crucial therapeutic role. Helping clients explore and identify their sensory preferences — whether that’s movement, temperature, textures, sounds, or smells — offers them practical tools to manage their arousal levels.
It also supports the body’s natural rhythm of regulation and co-regulation — the ability to return to a calm state, often with the help of another safe person. In this way, sensory input becomes not just a coping strategy, but a gateway to healing.
Simple Sensory Practices That Support Regulation
Encouraging clients to build a “sensory menu” can be a helpful way to experiment and find what works for them. Here are a few examples:
Touch: Holding a smooth stone, using hand cream, wrapping in a blanket
Smell: Aromatherapy (lavender, citrus, peppermint), favourite candle
Sound: Nature sounds, calming playlists, gentle humming
Sight: Soft lighting, looking at a favourite photo, observing nature
Movement: Rocking, stretching, walking, or bouncing on a therapy ball
What matters most is the intentional use of sensory input to either upregulate (energise) or downregulate (calm) the nervous system — depending on what’s needed in the moment.
Supporting Nervous System Health = Supporting Mental Health
By integrating sensory regulation into our therapeutic work, we’re not just helping clients feel better in the moment. We’re supporting them to build a foundation of nervous system resilience — the ability to return to a state of balance after stress or disruption.
Sensory input might seem simple, but it can be one of the most powerful and accessible tools for emotional regulation, self-awareness, and healing. For many of our clients, it can become a lifelong companion — a best friend to their nervous system.
