The Importance of Sensory Health

Sensory health is part of our everyday functioning & well-being.  It plays an essential role in our abilities to regulate ourselves and respond to the demands of our environment everyday. Sensory processing is one component of self-regulation (the others are executive function and emotional regulation). All three of these components work together in a dynamic way to influence our behavior. We can positively influence our physical and mental health and well-being by supporting our sensory systems and using them in meaningful ways to influence our nervous system (ie., to relax, reduce stress, perk up, become more alert, etc.).  Knowing how our sensory systems influence our daily participation in life is empowering and is one big step towards self-awareness and self-management of our health throughout the lifespan. Being attuned to the sensory profiles of our children can help us to co-regulate with them and nurture them through daily activities, including challenges.

Sensory processing is the ability to take in information through our senses from our environments, to be able to modulate that sensory input, and to create a response that allows us to adjust and maintain an expected, functional level of participation in our everyday activities. Our sensory health and sensory processing skills are rooted in our nervous system function. Therefore, one’s sensory processing abilities play an essential role in everyday behavior.

For more information about sensory processing and sensory health, see the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing, the premiere research center for sensory processing disorder (SPD).  As healthcare consumers, it is important to have evidence-based resources for treatment, family education, and ongoing research, in addition to a professional collaborative approach to human health and well-being.