There is a growing body of evidence supporting the use of mindfulness as a valuable practice for reducing stress and anxiety, enhancing focus, and improving overall wellbeing. Some research suggests that incorporating sensory stimuli—such as sounds, scents, and visual elements—can create immersive experiences that are easier to engage with and may enhance the benefits of mindfulness.

This guidance offers ideas for how you can create an immersive mindfulness experience with someone with severe or profound intellectual disabilities. It does not rely on spoken instructions and can be tailored to each person’s individual needs and preferences.

What you need

For comfort and positioning:

• Pillows, blankets, bed, chair, or beanbag
• Something for you to lie or sit on so that you can be close to the person

A selection from the following (it may be preferable to focus on one sense per session):

• A sound system for relaxing music or nature sounds
• Visual stimuli such as soft lighting, lava lamps, colour-changing LED lamps, twinkly lights, or nature imagery
• Scents such as essential oils (check for any contraindications)
• Sensory toys, fidgets, or fabrics with pleasant textures

A pen and paper to write down anything you observe during the session

Guidance and instructions

• When preparing for the session and during the session the person you are supporting may like to be involved in the choice of stimuli.
• Find a quiet space where you can control the lighting and sounds in the environment as much as possible.
• Make sure the person is comfortable and that all aspects of physical care have been attended to before you begin.
• Choose one or two sensory stimuli to start with, to avoid overwhelm and so you can monitor how the person responds to each one. Only introduce additional sensory elements if you feel it’s necessary and the person seems ready.
• You might begin with music or nature sounds. Use calming soundscapes such as rainfall, ocean waves, or soft instrumental music to create a relaxing, immersive experience. Keep checking how the person is responding to what is offered.
• You could introduce visual stimuli to engage the visual senses—such as soft lighting, nature imagery, or colour-changing LED lamps. The image of a flickering candle flame or a lava lamp can also serve as a visual focal point for mindfulness.
• To engage the sense of touch, offer soft textures, or sensory fidgets. If the person is happy to do so, you might invite them to feel or trace their fingers or hands across textured fabric. You could also gently tap their hand in rhythm with the sounds being played—always checking that they are comfortable and responding positively to the touch.
• Scents such as lavender and chamomile can promote relaxation, while citrus scents like orange may be energising. Make sure any scents offered are not overpowering and are safe for the person you are supporting. As with all sensory stimuli, what is pleasant for one person might be unpleasant for another—so keep checking how the person is communicating their experience, in all the ways they express themselves.
• Gently let the person know when the experience is coming to an end. You can use your voice or other non-verbal signals that are familiar to the person to communicate this. Gradually return the environment to the usual lighting and sound, or if moving to another place, allow time to adjust and avoid suddenly moving to a different environment. Observe for whether the person needs rest before returning to usual activities.

Find what works for each person, and use this to create a tailored, single-sense or multisensory mindfulness experience. This can be repeated in the same way or you can experiment with different stimuli over time.

What to observe and record

• Check in with the person regularly. Are they happy and comfortable? Do they seem overwhelmed? Look for signs in their body language and vocalisations.
• Observe and record how they respond to each sensory element and to combinations of them. This will help you create a personalised approach that works for the individual.
• Does the experience appear to bring about changes in alertness, focus, concentration, relaxation, energy etc?
• Write down your observations as soon as possible after the session, share your reflections with others and adapt and refine the experience next time.

©  Liberty Sheard and Julie Calveley

Created May 2025