We all know that physical activity can help us build muscle, lose weight and maintain a healthy heart. But these aren’t the only ways physical activity can benefit the body. There’s evidence to suggest that exercise can also improve the health of our nervous system and sensory organs. Below we’ll look into exactly how physical activity could potentially sharpen your sense of touch, sight, hearing, taste and smell.
Touch
Staying physically active improves blood circulation around the body, which can help to maintain the health of all our nerve endings. Certain exercises like balancing and climbing can also help to improve body awareness (also known as ‘proprioception’), providing better co-ordination and a heightened awareness of touch. As for outdoor exercises, these can often expose us to different temperatures and improve our tolerance against heat and cold.
Sight
Regular exercise may help to reduce the risk of various eye diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Glaucoma is caused by a buildup of pressure in the eye, which can be reduced through exercise as a result of increased blood flow to the eyes. Meanwhile, exercise is known to significantly reduce the risk of diabetes by regulating blood sugar – potentially preventing diabetic retinopathy. On top of this, exercise can often reduce issues like dry eye syndrome by getting people away from screens.
Hearing
There are also potentially links between hearing loss and physical activity. Exercising regularly can improve blood circulation and stress, which can help you to hear more clearly. Balance exercises are particularly good for the ears as this sense is also controlled here – the likes of Tai Chi and Yoga are examples of this. Meanwhile, general aerobic exercises like swimming and running can also help by boosting circulation.
Taste
Studies have found that physical exercise may help to improve our taste perceptions through improved metabolic function. Our ability to taste sweetness seems to be particularly sharpened by exercise. Exercise is particularly effective when combined with mindful eating – allowing down and savoring food – to enhance enjoyment of flavors. This in turn can also help with other exercise goals like weight loss.
Smell
Physical activity is good for our respiratory system – strengthening breathing muscles and forcing us to take deep breaths. It can be effective at relieving nasal congestion, helping us to retain our sense of smell when our nose is blocked. Some studies have also shown improvements in smelling ability shortly after exercise likely as a result of improved blood flow to olfactory regions.
Sharpen your five senses with exercise
Our five senses help us to interact with the world. By sharpening them, you can experience the world in much greater detail. Start upping your exercise by joining the gym, taking up an active hobby like cycling or by simply walking more. Spending more time outdoors can naturally encourage you to be more active. Even taking on housework and DIY tasks can get you off the couch and keep you moving. In turn, your sense of touch, sight
