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Putting your senses to work at work

Shani de Wit

Created on May 11, 2023

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What do other professionals experience?

How are senses used at work?

How will you use them in your future career?

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INTRO

AT WORK

PUTTING YOUR SENSES TO WORK

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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.

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

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A 2023 PREMIUM PROJECT

Introduction

ABOUT

TOPICS

INTRO

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Prompts

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How do you use your senses at work?

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.

Discover different ways you can apply sensory awareness at work:

We synthesized our findings into topics. Explore them here:

PROMPTS

TOPICS

MY MAP

Prompts

ABOUT

TOPICS

INTRO

Gallery

GOING FURTHER

Prompts

HOME

How can I use my senses...

to reflect on performance?

to manage stress?

for career advancement?

to feel energized at work?

to connect with others?

to understand my distractions?

to stimulate creativity and decision-making?

Or make your own mind map for a prompt:

MY MAP

TOPICS

ABOUT

TOPICS

INTRO

Gallery

Prompts

GOING FURTHER

HOME

Body language

Routine

Imagination

Stress

New environment

Movement

Workplace

Online

Food and drinks

Energy

Gut feeling

Attire

MY MAP

ABOUT

TOPICS

INTRO

Gallery

Prompts

GOING FURTHER

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my map

Select a prompt you would like to work with:

How can i use my senses...

...To Feel energized at work

...To stimulate my creativity and decision making

...To reflect on performance and wellbeing

...To understand distractions while working

...To connect with others

...To Manage stress

...for career advancement

ABOUT

TOPICS

INTRO

Gallery

Prompts

GOING FURTHER

HOME

my map

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).

How can i use my senses...

topics

Stress

Imagination

Body language

Energy

...To stimulate my creativity and decision making

Gut feeling

Online

Routine

New environment

Eating and drinking

Workplace

Clothing/dressing

Movement

ABOUT

TOPICS

INTRO

Gallery

Prompts

GOING FURTHER

HOME

my map

How can i use my senses...

topics

Stress

Imagination

Body language

Energy

...To understand distractions while working

Gut feeling

Online

Routine

New environment

Eating and drinking

Workplace

Clothing/dressing

Movement

ABOUT

TOPICS

INTRO

Gallery

Prompts

GOING FURTHER

HOME

my map

How can i use my senses...

topics

Stress

Imagination

Body language

Energy

...To reflect on performance and wellbeing

Gut feeling

Online

Routine

New environment

Eating and drinking

Workplace

Clothing/dressing

Movement

ABOUT

TOPICS

INTRO

Gallery

Prompts

GOING FURTHER

HOME

my map

How can i use my senses...

topics

Stress

Imagination

Body language

Energy

...To feel energized at work

Gut feeling

Online

Routine

New environment

Eating and drinking

Workplace

Clothing/dressing

Movement

ABOUT

TOPICS

INTRO

Gallery

Prompts

GOING FURTHER

HOME

my map

How can i use my senses...

topics

Stress

Imagination

Body language

Energy

...To connect with others

Gut feeling

Online

Routine

New environment

Eating and drinking

Workplace

Clothing/dressing

Movement

ABOUT

TOPICS

INTRO

Gallery

Prompts

GOING FURTHER

HOME

my map

How can i use my senses...

topics

Stress

Imagination

Body language

Energy

...for career advancement

Gut feeling

Online

Routine

New environment

Eating and drinking

Workplace

Clothing/dressing

Movement

ABOUT

TOPICS

INTRO

Gallery

Prompts

GOING FURTHER

HOME

my map

How can i use my senses...

topics

Stress

Imagination

Body language

Energy

...To manage stress

Gut feeling

Online

Routine

New environment

Eating and drinking

Workplace

Clothing/dressing

Movement

About us

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Team It Makes Sense!

We are a team of 5 Masters students from 3 different faculties at Maastricht University, brought together by PREMIUM: the Honours programme for UM's most driven Masters students. Kicking off in January 2023, we set out to understand how professionals make use of their senses at work in ways that are often overlooked and under-acknowledged in assignment for contemporary culture house Marres. We did this by exploring our own senses and interviewing 8 professionals. This microsite is our final product in which we not only present some of our findings, but wish to stimulate fellow graduating students who are about to enter the job market, to reflect on what they can gain from paying attention to their senses.

Physicality of workplace

Energy levels

Personal Triggers

MY MAP

ABOUT

TOPICS

INTRO

Gallery

Prompts

GOING FURTHER

HOME

...to connect with others

Body language

Food and drink

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.

Clothing

Energy

Connection

Online

Gut feeling

MY MAP

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TOPICS

INTRO

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Prompts

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

It can improve the understanding of the rationale behind your action; why you do the things you do and why you do things a certain way or/and a better understanding of yourself; your strengths and weaknesses.
It can be helpful in developing your metacognitive abilities; for example analyzing your thoughts more effectively or a general improved performance; learning how to take action in a more effective way.
It can helpful to understand how others perform, feel, think and want to achieve and this is essential to successfully interact.
Professionals mentioned that if someone approaches them to ask, ‘what is wrong’ or ‘you looked very nervous ; they know that they are sensing their performance and well-being.

Body language

Energy level

Reflecting on these aspects of performance and well-being allows you to sense if peers understand what you are trying to explain or what they might think when you for instance pitching a new idea.

Movement

''Reflective practice involves actively analyzing your experiences and actions, in order to help yourself improve and develop''

MY MAP

...To Thrive at Work: Manage your stress

prompts

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.

TOPICS

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Professionals' insights on stress managment strategies:

Stress/irritation

Coffee and tea

Movement

Routine

MY MAP

Body Language and non-verbal expressions

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INTRO

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

prompts

TOPICS

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.

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Movement

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INTRO

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GOING FURTHER

Movement can be an important factor in staying energized, focused, and comfortable at work. There are different ways in which movement helps us be productive and happy. The change in sensory stimulation and blood flow can really improve physical well-being in a workday. Some people say that movement even improves their creativity and generates ideas. Especially during a meeting or presentation, movement can help in keeping the brain busy, instead of dozing off in a chair. Furthermore, the feeling of movement can lead to a feeling of freedom while presenting or giving a lecture.Ideally, movement can be combined with going outside or getting food and drinks. The sensation of fresh air in the lungs, the scent of nature and the taste of food, the warmth of a cup of tea, feeling the grass on the ground, having a change in scenery, feeling the warmth of the sun, they can all reinforce a feeling of sensory stimulation in combination with movement. Even small movements that belong to our routine might be important to be paid attention to. Highlighting something in a document with your hand, might add a sense of touch to reading and increase effective and pleasant studying. Some movements that are being performed daily, which might seem basic, might actually be an important part of our profession and we could not perform well without them. Movement in our workplace can be incorporated into different areas. A short stretch on the desk, a walk to a colleague during a break or taking the stairs instead of the elevator in the office. Also one might want to consider taking the bike in the morning instead of the car. Having your body stimulated in the morning can set the mood for an active rest of the day.

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Read more about imagination

Stress

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

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.

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

Gut feeling

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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 feeling

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.

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 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.

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food and drinks

Food and drinks

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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.

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.

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

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clothing and dressing

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Blue!

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objectivity

Going further

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prompts

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Green!

GOING FURTHER

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.

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Read more about objectivity in sensory experience

Putting your senses to work at work

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Transcript

How can I use my senses...

to reflect on performance?

to manage stress?

for career advancement?

to feel energized at work?

to connect with others?

to understand my distractions?

to stimulate creativity and decision-making?

Or make your own mind map for a prompt:

MY MAP

How can i use my senses...

...To Feel energized at work

...To stimulate my creativity and decision making

...To reflect on performance and wellbeing

...To understand distractions while working

...To connect with others

...To Manage stress

...for career advancement

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

Physicality of workplace

Energy levels

Personal Triggers

...to connect with others

Body language

Energy level

Movement

...To Thrive at Work: Manage your stress

Professionals' insights on stress managment strategies: