In today's world, very few of us are immune from the trappings of modern life and the stresses that accompany them. At times, stress can be beneficial, activating our sympathetic nervous system and spurring us on to achieve our goals. However, the problem for many of us today is that the stress response is activated too regularly, and often inappropriately, and this can have a detrimental effect on our health. Too much stress can lead to anxiety, which can become exhausting, at which point we become vulnerable to illness. How often have you picked up a cold at a time when you have been under a lot of pressure, pushed for time, or at a low ebb?

There are so many external, environmental stressors in our lives: we are bombarded with noise, pollution, chemicals in food, traffic, other people's emotions, and negative news stories from the media.

And internally, we suffer from our own high expectations: trying to do much in too short a time, our worries and fears, wanting to please others, keeping our emotions pent up. Our day-to-day lives are often further complicated by life events - a marriage, a birth, a bereavement, moving house, relationship breakdown or divorce, losing a job, or even going on holiday.

At work we often are expected to take on increasing amounts of work and responsibility, meet tighter deadlines, working with other people where communication is poor and expectations are high. Even at home people are often juggling their work with their lives and family commitments, and stress is often apparent in our relationships.

It’s no wonder that we are suffering from stress and that our health may begin to suffer as a result.

There is, however, good news. Healthy living, and particularly relaxation, can help regulate the stress response to healthier, more manageable levels.

Relaxation can take many forms: a stroll in the country, yoga, a sauna, meditation, breathing exercises and, of course, massage. Through the act of relaxation we stimulate a part of the brain (the parasympathetic nervous system) that slows down the heart rate and the rate of breathing, lowers blood pressure, and stimulates digestion and our immune systems.

Ask any public health doctor which is the most effective – an ounce of prevention or a pound of cure - and the answer will invariably be prevention. Massage is one of the most effective ways to relax and stimulate your immune system, particularly at those times when we are vulnerable to illnesses that untreated stress can lead to. Regular – say, once or twice a month - Reflexology sessions can help you manage the stress in your life, particularly if you know your stress levels are rising - if you have an upcoming job interview, exams, a presentation, a driving test, or even Christmas.

So why not try a session at The Reflexology Centre? Your well-being is worth it. 

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