Stress is part of everyday life. Everyone is affected by stress. Some stress can be motivated by challenging ourselves and being stimulating by accomplishing a project that is due. People react differently to stressful situations according to their personality, life experience and environment. When it makes you feel bad, and has an effect on your health and balance, something has to be done.
What does stress generate?
Stress makes our body use glucose by secreting cortisol and adrenalin, the stress hormones. It prepares us for the “Fight or Flight” response. Our body gets ready for action. Blood goes to areas that need the most and can result in higher heart rates, eye dilation and muscle tense up. Chronic and long term stress, can compromise the ability of our body to heal and lowers our immune system which can make us more susceptible to get sick and to trigger allergy and skin reactions. It also creates hormonal imbalance.
What can you experience?
Below are some of the effects stress can have on your body.
- PMS, Amenorrhea, fertility problems in both genders
- Problem with Thyroid function
- Hair loss
- Weight gain
- High Anxiety
- Digestive disorders, IBS
- High blood pressure
- Chronic Fatigue
- Breathing problems, asthma
- Depression
How can reflexology help reduce stress?
Reflexology can help to bring your body into balance by creating a state of homeostasis, reducing any stress. Cranio Sacral Reflexology, a type of Advanced Reflexology put into place by Dr Martine Faure Anderlson, a pioneer in Reflexology, is very powerful in alleviating stress and anxiety. Working on your brain and spine, it helps your body to calm down deeply and to rebalance itself. People with Burn out, Mental Health Problem, OCD, ADHD, Alzheimer, Parkinson’s, ME, Fibromyalgia, can benefit from Cranio Sacral Reflexology which will bring tremendous relaxation and wellbeing at the same time.
Reflexology combined with Indian Head Massage
Indian Head Massage can also reduce your stress, lowering your blood pressure and balancing your whole self, working on your 3 chakras; your throat chakra, 3rd Eye chakra and crown chakra which will leave you feel in total harmony with yourself. Applied regularly this leaves your hair and skin more beautiful and it’s also recommended to do it in combination with another treatment such as Reflexology.
Healthy lifestyle
Looking after your mental health and doing simple things such as eating healthy, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, doing gentle exercise regularly, having enough sleep, going out and taking fresh air as much as possible, also contributes to stress relief. Keeping well hydrated along the day for a well-functioning body. Socialising and nurturing relationships are also important for human well-being and reducing stress hormones. Finally, meditation makes you feel connected with your inner-self and help you to let go of worries and stress.
Basic reflexology routine on hands for stress relief
1- Pressing gently your thumb with your index finger in the middle of your thumb, on both hands. Breathing gently and regularly.
2- Pressing your left thumb in your right hand, under the 1sr horizontal line on your hand, in the hollow located under your 3rd finger. Breath out. Let your breath out completely and release your thumb gently. Do it on the other hand by pressing your right thumb in your left hand in and breathe in. Upon exhaling, release gently the pressure from your thumb. Take your time when combining breathing with thumb pressure on your solar plexus on your palm of your hand. This enhances the calming effect.
3- Tapping gently up and down on your lateral part of your right hand, with your 4 left fingers. Then, switch hands. Tapping up and down on the lateral side of your right hand (from thumb to wrist & from wrist to thumb) to your left hand.
4- Repeat No. 2 for balancing.