Stress

The causes of stress vary from person to person but the physical and mental effects can be lasting and very detrimental.

Stress activates the body’s fight and flight response, causing the heart rate to increase, blood pressure rises, breathing rate becomes faster but more shallow, and muscles tighten.

This causes a number of physical symptoms including: headaches, altered bowel function, fatigue, insomnia, reduced immunity therefore more prone to infections, heart attacks and stroke.

Emotional symptoms include: low mood/depression, anxiety, short temper, feeling overwhelmed, tearful, and withdrawn.

Reflexology is a complementary therapy where pressure is applied to specific areas on the feet or hands which corrrespond to specific muscles, organs, nervous and circulatory systems. By stimulating these areas, the body helps to rebalance the body. The result is reduced feelings of stress, lower blood pressure, better sleep and improved mood.