Stress

​Reflexology is known to help reduce stress.
I went through a prolonged period of stress, which affected every aspect of my health, physical and mental. Someone suggested I tried reflexology, and I never looked back!
But, to understand how reflexology can help reduce stress, it is helpful to understand what stress is and why it causes imbalances in our bodies.
Stress is the feeling of not being able to cope with specific events and challenges. It can come from many sources: work, family, financial pressures, bereavement, etc. Stress is the body’s natural defence mechanism against predators and danger (fight or flight response).
Whilst some stress actually helps to keep us motivated, when it becomes prolonged, overwhelming, easily triggered, or there are too many stressors at the same time, it can affect our mental and physical health.
Stress slows down normal functions in the body, such as the digestive system and immune system, so it can focus on the processes that prepare the muscles for sudden use. These processes include: increased blood pressure and pulse rate, breathing rate speeds up, increased muscle tension, and poor sleep due to increased alertness.
Reflexology works by unblocking nerve endings in the feet which stimulate specific areas of the body and brain. It causes the body to switch off the stimulating sympathetic nervous system, and switch on the calming and healing parasympathetic nervous system.
The parasympathetic nervous system allows the body to rebalance the lymphatic and hormone systems, and boost circulation.
Reflexology creates a sense of deep relaxation and calm, leaving you feeling less stressed and anxious.
If you are going through a period of stress, give reflexology a go.