Stress management/ Relaxation

​Stress management/Relaxation is one of the key elements for wellbeing 😉 Reflexology is known for promoting profound relaxation and reducing stress (Embong et al, 2015). Often times we tend to drift off during reflexology session, experience deep relaxation and meditative state. It is almost like mindfulness practice and quality deep rest are induced by reflexology so easily. So how does relaxation/stress reduction contributes to our health? 

According to Medical dictionary (Oxford, 2010), stress is any factor that pressures the health of the body or has an unfavourable effect on its functioning - that includes worry for instance - and the existence of one form of stress tends to diminish resistance to other forms. 

Constant stress generates changes in the balance of hormones in the body. We know about stress hormones, right? Well, the body is ‘clever’ and gradually finds stability through physiological change to stress, that is called allostasis and changes a set point with narrower range, shifts towards abnormal ranges of homeostasis and functions at an elevated or reduced level which in turn causes a strain on interdependent systems (McEwen and Wingfield, 2010; Juster, McEwen & Lupien, 2010). 
​
As Juster, McEzen & Lupien’s review (2010) states, prolonged chronic psychosocial stress that causes allostatic overload is a path to diseases that compromises neuroendocrine, immune, metabolic and cardiovascular system functioning and has impact on healthy ageing and cognition😣 In short, it’s concluded that reducing allostatic load promotes health! 

So what can we do to support our life-long resiliency against allostatic load? Many things!! Such as having healthier diet and good social support, doing exercises, improving sleep qualities etc… (Juster, McEwen & Lupien, 2010) and may we add that reflexology (and aromatherapy & reiki) could also support the process! And guess what? With so much pleasure!! (Ta-da!!!)
It is rather simple! We receive reflexology treatment ➡️ it promotes relaxation ➡️ and reduce stress level ➡️ helps prevent overloading of allostatic load ➡️ helps maintain homeostasis ➡️ helps prevent diseases ➡️ helps happy ageing! (we age everyday!) And please keep in mind, as you often see on reflexology maps, that reflexology deals with the whole bodily organs and systems😉

So why don’t we set our routine reflexology treatment in our lives? Firstly, we can all do our self-reflexology before bed or in the bath or however it works with your daily life. It is also very beneficial to have regular reflexology sessions with your local qualified reflexologist (preferably a member of reflexology association – they are VERY serious about reflexology 😊) Also, please feel free to discuss with your reflexologist about the most achievable plan for your needs! One of the purposes of having professional treatments are not for causing more stress (!) but rather reducing stress levels efficiently!! 
Let’s enjoy reflexology ‘treat’ment and optimise our health! 

Image credit:
Photo from pixabay: Marisa_Sias

*We are happy if you wish to share any of our posts as long as your posts clearly refer back to us :) Please refrain yourself from copying, alternating contents a little and publishing them as your own posts, that has sadly happened in the past. Academic dishonesty is an ethical offence. Yes, our posts may be ‘just’ FB posts, but we do spend much time and energy on research for our little articles. Hope you enjoy reading them💖🙏

The original article was posted to FB page on 8 February 2018

Copyright 2018 Tree of Life: Reflexology, Aromatherapy & Reiki. All Rights Reserved.