Stress and Reflexology
- "Stress is like an iceberg. We can see one-eighth of it above, but what about what's below?" Anonymous
We are all stressed. Stress can be a very positive state - helping us to strive to achieve our goals. Stress heightens all our responses, allows us to focus our mind on the task in hand and prepares our bodies' for action. We can feel excited, elated, full of energy, ready to take on the world. In extreme or dangerous circumstances, it even allows us to suppress pain to deal with the presenting situation.
This positive state is when we feel in control, we are in the driving seat. We have a goal to reach and once achieved our mind and body can relax and feel a sense of achievement.
Stress becomes di-stress when we feel that we are under pressure either by circumstances or by the demands of others around us, or when we have no support, no one to talk to. This becomes a very negative experience. All the same processes which prepared our minds and bodies for action are still happening mentally and physically, but this stressed state has no end to it. If this stressed state lasts for a prolonged period our time and we cannot change it, our bodies start to tire of being in this heightened state.
This is when we start to experience symptoms such as headaches, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, stiff aching muscles, stomach pains, frequent coughs and colds, difficulty sleeping.
If this stressed state continues for a long period or time more serious illness can occur.
How Can Reflexology Help?
Reflexology is a firstly a deeply relaxing treatment. Sometimes, when we have been stressed for a long period of time, we can forget what its like to feel relaxed. This is an important first step in recognising our own levels of stress.
Reflexology also balances all the systems of the body. When we are stressed and our bodies have been stressed for a period of time, many systems of the body can be compromised, the immune system for example, which makes us more prone to viral infections. In re - balancing these systems many of the symptoms we experience start to ease, helping you to feel much better and helping you to cope with the stresses you face. If you suffer from a chronic health condition which has been exacerbated by recent stress, reflexology will help to reduce symptoms you suffer by reducing the harmful effect stress has had on you.
Once feeling more relaxed and more in control of your own stress and with greater awareness of how stress affects you, you should be able to address changes to your lifestyle and perhaps find a relaxation method or exercise which allows you to deal with your own stress. Indeed, some of my clients chose to have regular monthly or six weekly reflexology treatments as one way of achieving this.
This positive state is when we feel in control, we are in the driving seat. We have a goal to reach and once achieved our mind and body can relax and feel a sense of achievement.
Stress becomes di-stress when we feel that we are under pressure either by circumstances or by the demands of others around us, or when we have no support, no one to talk to. This becomes a very negative experience. All the same processes which prepared our minds and bodies for action are still happening mentally and physically, but this stressed state has no end to it. If this stressed state lasts for a prolonged period our time and we cannot change it, our bodies start to tire of being in this heightened state.
This is when we start to experience symptoms such as headaches, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, stiff aching muscles, stomach pains, frequent coughs and colds, difficulty sleeping.
If this stressed state continues for a long period or time more serious illness can occur.
How Can Reflexology Help?
Reflexology is a firstly a deeply relaxing treatment. Sometimes, when we have been stressed for a long period of time, we can forget what its like to feel relaxed. This is an important first step in recognising our own levels of stress.
Reflexology also balances all the systems of the body. When we are stressed and our bodies have been stressed for a period of time, many systems of the body can be compromised, the immune system for example, which makes us more prone to viral infections. In re - balancing these systems many of the symptoms we experience start to ease, helping you to feel much better and helping you to cope with the stresses you face. If you suffer from a chronic health condition which has been exacerbated by recent stress, reflexology will help to reduce symptoms you suffer by reducing the harmful effect stress has had on you.
Once feeling more relaxed and more in control of your own stress and with greater awareness of how stress affects you, you should be able to address changes to your lifestyle and perhaps find a relaxation method or exercise which allows you to deal with your own stress. Indeed, some of my clients chose to have regular monthly or six weekly reflexology treatments as one way of achieving this.
You can test your own stress levels by clicking on the logo below and completing the questionaire.
