Reactivating Your 5 Senses | The Cancer Journey Podcast

When was the last time you truly noticed what you were experiencing through your 5 senses? On a cancer journey—and honestly, in life—we can become so disconnected from our bodies that we forget to simply be present.

In this episode, Shariann and Alicia explore how your 5 senses (taste, touch, smell, sound, sight) can ground you when you're feeling untethered. They share personal experiences of how treatment changes your senses, why slowing down to notice what's here can soothe your nervous system, and how being present is actually productive.

What we talk about:

• Why we take our 5 senses for granted

• How to use your senses as a grounding technique

• What happens when treatment affects taste and smell

• The judgment and "shoulds" that come up when we slow down

• Why appreciating your breath and your senses is enough

• How presence can shift from feeling like "wasted time" to genuine gratitude

Key moments:

[00:00] Introduction and PESH check-in

[02:15] Why we fall out of touch with our five senses

[05:30] Going through the five senses in real time

[12:45] How cancer treatment changes your senses

[18:20] The productivity trap and permission to slow down

[24:10] Gratitude for simply being alive

[27:45] Takeaways and closing PESH

Whether you're on a cancer journey, supporting someone who is, or simply feeling disconnected from yourself—this episode offers a simple but powerful practice for coming back to what's real and tangible.

Resources mentioned:

The Cancer Journey Institute: https://thecancerjourney.com/

Instagram: @thecancerjourney

Facebook: The Cancer Journey Institute

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