Putting your senses to work at work

gallery

Get inspired to Get in touch with your body in your future career

What do other professionals experience?

How will you use them in your future career?

How are senses used at work?

This website was created for you to reflect on how senses are used at work. Professionals have been asked on this topic and there is space for you to make your own notes. Whatever you take from this website, we hope to make you a little more aware of your own senses and how you (can) use them in your future profession.

A 2023 PREMIUM PROJECT

PROMPTS

MY MAP

AT WORK

PUTTING YOUR SENSES TO WORK

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

HOME

MY MAP

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

We synthesized our findings into topics. Explore them here:

Discover different ways you can apply sensory awareness at work:

PROMPTS

TOPICS

A question most people probably do not ask very often, if ever. Despite our senses being the body’s tools to experience the world around us, the question as to how we use them in our job, how this affects us, and how we can actively make use of them is rarely explored. ‘It Makes Sense’, a team consisting of 5 students from different study disciplines at Maastricht University, worked together with Marres, the house of contemporary culture based in Maastricht, to explore exactly these unusual topics. Senses can be defined as the physiological perception of the environment through sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch using the sense organs. By conducting interviews we have gathered new insights into how professionals use their senses in all kinds of ways in relation to their profession. To obtain a selection of different viewpoints, our interviewees’ backgrounds are diverse. What we realized was that our senses are used in so many different ways when we are at work. We perceive everything in a very subjective way, yet we are also quite similar in many areas. We also saw that paying attention to your senses might help you become aware of how good and bad experiences arise and are being altered. Hence, reflecting on your senses every now and then can actually help make a workday effective and pleasant, establish better connections with colleagues, and in the end become more connected to your body at your work. We decided to summarise the knowledge that we gained to share it with other young adults that might enter the world of work soon. We have hence created this website, hoping to provide you with some inspiration to reflect on the use of your own senses. Whatever you take from this website, we hope to make you a little more aware of your own senses and the power and importance of being able to use them in all areas of life.

How do you use your senses at work?

Introduction

MY MAP

Or make your own mind map for a prompt:

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

to stimulate creativity and decision-making?

to reflect on performance?

How can I use my senses...

for career advancement?

to understand my distractions?

to feel energized at work?

to connect with others?

to manage stress?

Prompts

MY MAP

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

Energy

Online

Attire

Stress

Routine

Movement

Food and drinks

Workplace

Gut feeling

Imagination

Body language

New environment

TOPICS

...To Manage stress

...To Feel energized at work

...To connect with others

...for career advancement

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

How can i use my senses...

...To stimulate my creativity and decision making

Select a prompt you would like to work with:

...To reflect on performance and wellbeing

my map

...To understand distractions while working

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

Body language

Clothing/dressing

Eating and drinking

New environment

Gut feeling

Imagination

Movement

Workplace

Routine

How can i use my senses...

Energy

Stress

Online

topics

...To stimulate my creativity and decision making

Instructions: Drag in the topics that you find relevant around the selected prompt. Don't forget to take a screenshot before you leave to save your work (changes will not be saved once you leave this page).

my map

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

Body language

Clothing/dressing

Eating and drinking

New environment

Gut feeling

Imagination

Movement

Workplace

Routine

How can i use my senses...

Energy

Stress

Online

topics

...To understand distractions while working

my map

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

Body language

Clothing/dressing

Eating and drinking

New environment

Gut feeling

Imagination

Movement

Workplace

Routine

How can i use my senses...

Energy

Stress

Online

topics

...To reflect on performance and wellbeing

my map

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

Body language

Clothing/dressing

Eating and drinking

New environment

Gut feeling

Imagination

Movement

Workplace

Routine

How can i use my senses...

Energy

Stress

Online

topics

...To feel energized at work

my map

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

Body language

Clothing/dressing

Eating and drinking

New environment

Gut feeling

Imagination

Movement

Workplace

Routine

How can i use my senses...

Energy

Stress

Online

topics

...To connect with others

my map

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

Body language

Clothing/dressing

Eating and drinking

New environment

Gut feeling

Imagination

Movement

Workplace

Routine

How can i use my senses...

Energy

Stress

Online

topics

...for career advancement

my map

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

Body language

Clothing/dressing

Eating and drinking

New environment

Gut feeling

Imagination

Movement

Workplace

Routine

How can i use my senses...

Energy

Stress

Online

topics

...To manage stress

my map

Special thank you to our generous interviewees who took the time to speak and explore their senses at work with us, making this website possible.

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

Personal Triggers

MY MAP

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

So, what did you do this weekend?’’

''It is worth getting in touch with our senses to actively prevent ourselves from getting distracted''

Sometimes, it seems as though workplaces have been designed to break our focus. Even when you are ‘snowed’ under with work, you will still check your emails regularly or surf on the internet.

Physicality of workplace

Energy levels

Distractions are both stressful and costly as it takes a while to fully regain focus on a task after being distracted.
Getting away from distractions can allow you to think more clearly, to quieten your inner thoughts so you can really listen to your intuition and authentic thoughts.

........To understand your distractions while working

MY MAP

Online

Clothing

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

Connecting with colleagues, clients and third parties goes beyond the exchange of words through emails and phone calls. Being able to genuinely connect with others was considered a very valuable attribute of most of the professionals’ work, especially after the COVID pandemic. While for some professionals this would include physical touch, for others, the importance of appearance and self-presentation matter just as much to establish meaningful connections. Connecting with others enables professionals to understand, assist or work with different audiences, and so recognizing how our senses play a role in this is invaluable.

...to connect with others

Connection

Energy

Gut feeling

Food and drink

Body language

MY MAP

Movement

Body language

Energy level

.....To reflect on performance & well-being

MY MAP

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

The senses can help you choose your job. You can sense if you belong there and how to behave. It may also help with contract negotiations and what career advancement goals suit you.

Workspace

Body Language

Energy

Gut Feeling

New Environments

Routine

Clothing

... for career advancement

MY MAP

prompts

gallery

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

HOME

Imagination

New Environments

Movement

A professional said that "everyone has a different style, uses different senses, and has different emotions". When she asked her students "what's your favorite way to learn?" They don't even know... but when she asked them "do you know that for you that is the most effective way?" Most of them answered, "I don't know." She really loves Montessori schools and explains that "Montessori says the [person] needs to find out what activity can I do best in what way? And you can only do that by" trying out different things to find out what works best for you.

... To stimulate your creativity and decision-making

MY MAP

prompts

gallery

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

HOME

Professionals' insights on stress managment strategies:

Stress/irritation

Movement

Routine

Coffee and tea

...To Thrive at Work: Manage your stress

The importance of stress management in professional settings cannot be overstated. Professionals understand that effectively managing stress is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and well-being. By prioritizing stress management techniques such as sensory experiences, consistent routines, movement, and addressing stressors, professionals are able to enhance their ability to cope with challenges, improve focus, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Incorporating these strategies into their professional lives allows individuals to cultivate resilience, reduce burnout, and thrive in their careers.

sources

prompts

gallery

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

HOME

Body language and nonverbal expressions are an important part of our communication1. How we express ourselves and perceive others’ body language is closely tied to our senses. For example when having an audience, a confident and engaged physical appearance can add an important visual part to the conveyed message. Movements such as hand gestures can even help emphasise certain arguments and explain things in a vivid way. Most of our interviewees mentioned non-verbal expressions as important factors in presenting. During the interviews, we even received a glimpse of this ourselves: we realized that the professionals used many different ways to emphasize their points, sometimes mimicking, imitating, while some seemed to be happy when holding a pen, or moving around the room. Some of our interviewees mentioned that clothing has an impact on their body language. When one feels accordingly dressed and comfortable this can often be observed in their demeanor. However, it is not only one’s own body language that needs to be considered. Reading others’ can also help in understanding the conversation partner. Especially teachers have repeatedly mentioned that when people are ‘hanging’ in their chair, using their phone, or have a special tone in their voice (shaky or loud), this would indicate how engaged the audience was and how the topic is being processed. Furthermore, it can often be seen how stressed other people are, when they walk and move in a certain way, are rushed and pay no attention to their surroundings. Smiling, loud talking or special faces on the other hand usually indicate enthusiasm. A coach as well as a teacher, have mentioned that shaking hands can increase the connection to others by adding a touch element (if it is appropriate, of course). However, in other settings physical touch might not be needed and a connection can be established by eye contact, paying genuine attention and getting to know the people. When acting in an appropriate way, one can seem enthusiastic and engaged. This should also be considered in online communication. Research has shown that the missing transmission of body language can convey a different image over the screen than in real life2.

"Hearing someone's voice can also help you understand their emotions."

Body Language and non-verbal expressions

Read more about imagination

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

The ability to imagine things influences everything we do, think about and create. It can lead to elaborate theories, dreams and inventions in any profession. Imaging what higher intelligence could bring into your daily conscious awareness? Often people don't share their imaginations but there is nothing childish about making imagination a vital part of your competencies. It is important to have a clear vision of what an end result will look like and imagination often leads to creativity. During the interviews professionals used their imagination to imagine themselves in certain scenarios in order to answer our questions. Becoming more aware of your senses and starting to ask yourself if you are able to smell, see, touch, hear and taste in your imaginations will help in answering questions or connection to others by imagining yourself in that situation.

Imagination

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

A warning system is activated when the brain receives external stress through one of our five senses. Stress has emotional consequences as it can make us feel overwhelmed, irritated, fatigued, nervous and sad

Professionals share that it can be helpful to find methods of relaxation that work best for you and learn to expect when confronted with stressful circumstances. To find the methods that might work for you, it can be helpful to start with how your senses are affected. It was mentioned that you can be aware of the stress responses of others as you can for example hear them walk faster or more aggressively or see them sweating or turning red. When you feel more uncertain, senses can be stimulated more, resulting in scanning an environment to see if someone is looking or trying to hear what others might say. Others feel more tense in the area around the necks and shoulders, their hands start sweating or they feel restless. It is also possible to ‘shut off’ senses by seeing less in your environment by paying less attention to your surroundings. It is possible to no longer be able to listen to music or to others or hard to speak in a proper way and articulate words. It has been mentioned that some people will go into an ‘inner self’ and make assumptions in their heads resulting in a full head and a possible headache.

Stress

Feeling stressed? You’re not alone, but not everyone experiences stress the same way!

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

Teachers rely on their intuition to make decisions that prioritise the well-being and learning needs of their students. By tuning into their gut feelings, teachers can adapt their teaching methods, identify individual needs, and create supportive and effective learning environments.

In the realm of professional life, the impact of gut feelings on decision-making and performance cannot be underestimated. Beyond rational analysis and logical thinking, intuitive cues, often referred to as gut feelings, play a crucial role in shaping the choices we make and the outcomes we achieve. Professionals from diverse fields have come to appreciate the significance of tapping into their intuitive senses to navigate the complexities of their work and make informed decisions. Whether it's choosing a career path, making critical business decisions, or interacting with colleagues and clients, our gut feelings provide valuable insights that go beyond conscious reasoning. Gut feelings arise as instinctive reactions or responses to situations and individuals, guiding us with a sense of certainty or conviction that is often difficult to explain or put into words.

Gut feelings are an integral part of our professional lives. By recognizing their significance and harnessing the power of intuition, professionals can gain new insights, make better decisions, and achieve success in their chosen fields. Embracing the influence of gut feelings allows us to tap into our innate wisdom, opening doors to opportunities and outcomes that may not have been apparent through rational analysis alone.

Gut feeling

In fields like psychology, professionals understand the importance of gut feelings in detecting shifts in atmosphere and energy within the workplace. This heightened sensitivity allows them to respond appropriately to dynamic situations and ensure the well-being of their clients.

+info

Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in

step 1

Gut feeling

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

Food and drinks

It's crucial to find a balance in our consumption habits. Excessive caffeine intake can lead to energy crashes and difficulty concentrating, while inadequate food intake can result in sluggishness and a lack of motivation. It is important to be mindful of the amount of coffee or caffeine consumed, ensuring it does not disrupt sleep patterns or negatively impact productivity. In conclusion, professionals emphasise the significance of making mindful choices regarding our eating and drinking habits in the workplace.Prioritising quality, enjoying social interactions, and practising mindful eating contribute to a healthier and more satisfying work experience. By being aware of our consumption habits, we can optimise our energy levels, focus, and overall performance in our professional lives.

The food and beverages we consume can influence our productivity in the workplace. Making conscious choices about our eating and drinking habits can be essential for maintaining optimal energy levels, focus, and overall well-being.

When we spoke with professionals from various fields, they shared valuable insights regarding their experiences with food and drinks at work.

food and drinks

Gallery

HOME

Prompts

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

The impact of clothing choices on sensory experiences varied among professionals.

Professionals from various backgrounds have emphasised the importance of clothing and dressing in relation to their sensory engagement in the workplace.

Some individuals mentioned their preference for specific clothing materials or colours that complement their body structure and skin tone, enhancing their overall sensory experience. Conversely, some professionals shared their aversion to certain types of clothing, such as rain gear that limits breathability and causes discomfort, negatively impacting their performance.

Many professionals highlighted the value of dressing professionally, regardless of specific dress codes. They expressed that dressing up boosts their confidence and energy levels, enabling them to present themselves effectively and engage with their work. Comfort and practicality were also key considerations mentioned by professionals. They emphasised the significance of clothing that feels comfortable against the skin, allowing them to focus and perform tasks efficiently.

In our professional lives, the way we dress and the clothing choices we make have a significant impact on our sensory experiences and career advancement. Our clothing choices in the workplace play a crucial role in shaping our sensory experiences and job performance. Dressing professionally can boost confidence and energy levels, while comfortable and practical clothing supports focus and efficiency. It is important for individuals to find a balance that aligns with their professional expectations and personal preferences, ultimately optimising their sensory engagement and overall performance.

clothing and dressing

prompts

gallery

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

HOME

Read more about objectivity in sensory experience

Green!

Blue!

Something we realized during the process of our interviews is that senses, how they are being used, and our perceptions, are something very individual. All interviewees have expressed different preferences, distractions, and experiences in connection to their senses. Hence, it is important to mention that everything we ourselves perceive and have written down on this website is something that is not universal at all.We want to actively encourage you to think about this when considering your very own perception. What seems objective to one as everyone labels it as ‘blue’ might still look different to everyone, while some people might not even perceive it at all. What we might consider as objective in our workplace, might be less so than we think. One of our interviewees pointed out that science often assumes that it is very objective, as numbers and figures are considered something neutral. However, once people realize how subjective the perception of anything, even numbers can be, then the world (and science) might become more inclusive. Paying attention to the (lack of) ability of our senses might help us in realizing this and might hence lead to a change in many different areas in life.

Going further

objectivity

prompts

gallery

ABOUT

GOING FURTHER

TOPICS

INTRO

HOME

Putting your senses to work at work

Over 30 million people create interactive content in Genially.

LIKED THAT? READ THIS!

CRAZY COOL STUFF JAN 13

ANIMAL ALPHABET

EXPLORER'S EMPORIUM ADVENTURE LEAGUE

EDMODO CLASS CHEMISTRY

USING YOUR SMARTPHONE FOR RESEARCH

SOCIOLOGY IN EDUCATION

Transcript

MY MAP

Or make your own mind map for a prompt:

to stimulate creativity and decision-making?

to reflect on performance?

How can I use my senses...

for career advancement?

to understand my distractions?

to feel energized at work?

to connect with others?

to manage stress?

...To Manage stress

...To Feel energized at work

...To connect with others

...for career advancement

How can i use my senses...

...To stimulate my creativity and decision making

...To reflect on performance and wellbeing

...To understand distractions while working

How can i use my senses...

...To stimulate my creativity and decision making

How can i use my senses...

...To understand distractions while working

How can i use my senses...

...To reflect on performance and wellbeing

How can i use my senses...

...To feel energized at work

How can i use my senses...

...To connect with others

How can i use my senses...

...for career advancement

How can i use my senses...

...To manage stress

Personal Triggers

Physicality of workplace

Energy levels

...to connect with others

Movement

Body language

Energy level

Professionals' insights on stress managment strategies:

...To Thrive at Work: Manage your stress