What is stress doing to your health?
A moderate amount of pressure in our lives can be positive, making us more alert and helping us to perform better. However, too much or prolonged pressures from work or home can lead to stress, which can cause illness and physical and emotional problems.
During stressful events our bodies release hormones which activate our defence mechanisms. This ‘fight or flight’ reaction causes our heart to pound, blood pressure to rise, digestion to slow down and muscles to tense. If the stress continues, we may experience constant aches and pains, palpitations, headaches, depression, insomnia, a tendency to over-eat, frequent colds or infections, a worsening of skin conditions such as eczema and acne and digestive disorders such as constipation or IBS.
Eliminating stress completely from our lives is impossible. However, a few changes to our lifestyle including healthy eating, regular exercise and making time for relaxation can subdue some of its harmful effects.
Reflexology is a treatment that helps to rebalance and normalise the system to obtain harmony of mind and body.
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Reflexology - The Stress Buster! |
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| Effects and symptoms of stress | How Reflexology helps |
| Headaches, neck and back pain | Loosens spine, eases neck muscles |
| Insomnia, busy mind | Regulates sleep patterns, improves concentration |
| Constant weariness | Increases energy levels |
| Panic attacks, hyperventilation | Relaxes ribcage, encourages deep breathing |
| Prone to colds or infection | Stimulates the immune system, aids recovery |
| Depression, menstrual disorders | Balances emotions and hormonal system |
| Increasing use of stimulants, poor diet | Removes toxins, opportunity to discuss/change diet |
| Feeling cold | Increases circulation |