How Reflexology Can Help Alleviate Stress and Anxiety

Stress is a normal physical reaction which occurs when the body is faced with a challenge or demand it must respond to. It can come as a result of events going on in your life or from internal triggers such as thoughts and emotions.

Stress is not always bad, in fact our bodies are designed to respond to it. If we have an exam coming up, a new job interview or a deadline at work, the stress and anxiety triggered by a stress response can help to keep us motivated, alert and ready for action.

It is when the stress becomes chronic and we are unable to switch off and relax that it can have negative consequences on our health.

A recent study in the UK shows that stress and anxiety are on the rise, with figures indicating that the level of psychological distress people are experiencing has increased from 20.8% in 2019 to 29.5% in April 2020.

What happens to the body during stress?

When we are stressed our body’s autonomic nervous system kicks into gear and activates the ‘fight or flight’ response. This triggers a cascade of chemical and physical reactions in the body with the sudden release of hormones (such as adrenaline and noradrenaline), increased heart rate, breathing and blood supply to the muscles.

With long-term or chronic stress the symptoms can start to become more prominent and changes can be seen in a persons physical, mental and emotional health.

The physical signs of stress include exhaustion, trouble sleeping, chest pain or feeling like your heart is racing, headaches, tension and even dizziness.

The emotional and mental signs of stress include irritability, anxiety, feeling down and even panic attacks.

Unfortunately for us stress and anxiety are common risk factors of many health problems, such as hypertension, heart attack, and stroke which is why I would like to raise awareness of the positive effect reflexology can have on these states.

With that in mind, we are going to take a look at some ways that you can use reflexology to help alleviate stress and anxiety:

Deep Relaxation

Reflexology, especially when received from an experienced reflexologist, works deeply on the endocrine system and nervous systems to balance and rejuvenate. By activating the bodies parasympathetic nervous system, or ‘rest and digest system’, reflexology has a positive and calming effect on heart rate, breathing and blood pressure. This state of relaxation in turn balances your hormones and directly reduces stress levels.

Better Sleep

A good night’s sleep significantly affects your physical and mental condition the following day, helping you to feel happier, more productive and more focused. By stimulating reflex points on the feet related to the endocrine glands, a trained reflexologist will be able to release sleepy, relaxing hormones to ensure a peaceful night’s sleep. It’s best to organize this type of appointment for the afternoon, for obvious reasons!

Relieves Headaches

Muscle tension from stress and anxiety can cause a wide range of problems, including headaches and migraines. Chronic headaches can prevent you from being able to concentrate during the day or to get adequate rest at night. A trained reflexologist can work specifically on the reflexes associated with headaches, relieving muscle tension, reducing nerve pain, improving circulation and mobility to the area. This in turn helps to improve overall well-being and reduce the occurrence of headaches.  

Lower Blood Pressure

Studies have shown that reflexology has a significant effect on blood pressure and that it provides immediate relief to patients. A study by Hughes and colleagues (2011) discovered that there was a significant reduction in blood pressure following a session of reflexology and also indicated its positive effect in reducing heart rate. If you are experiencing stress and tension due to the constant daily workload, improved circulation along with blood pressure regulation is an important part of rest and recovery.

Increased Energy Levels

Reflexology aligns the functions of all of the body systems from digestive to muscular to circulatory. This improved function within the organ systems helps to boost energy and metabolism. It will not only improve your mental state, but also re-energise and harmonise the body and mind.

Stress and anxiety are unfortunately very common in a modern world that keeps moving, but it should comfort you to know that help is available to treat both the physical and the mental symptoms. Book this healing treatment today and enjoy renewed harmony and vitality!

If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to share it on your favourite social media sites.