We all know that stress is a natural response to life's demands and challenges. It gets us out of bed in the mornings and motivates us to create change in our lives. However, if left unchecked, it can also become overwhelming, negatively impacting our physical and mental health.

What is stress?

Stress can be defined as the body's biological and physiological response to a perceived threat or stressor that we feel we do not have the resources to deal with. This response triggers a series of physiological reactions aimed at preparing the body to confront the perceived challenge, commonly referred to as the fight or flight or stress response. These reactions are part of the body's natural mechanism for dealing with potential threats and challenges.

The stress response is essential for survival in acute situations, however chronic stress, where the body is constantly in a heightened state of alertness and tension, can take a toll on our health.

What is relaxation?

Relaxation is a state of being - free from arousal, tension and anxiety. When we talk about relaxation, we generally mean a state of peace, a feeling of calm and contentment.

Relaxation is our ally against stress and anxiety. The relaxation response, commonly referred to as rest and digest, is the physiological state that occurs when the body returns to a state of calm and balance after the stress response has been activated. It is primarily controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system, which counteracts the effects of the sympathetic nervous system responsible for the stress response.

Throughout my years as a reflexologist, I've seen how stress affects people. It's a common reason why they come for sessions, and it shows up in various ways – from physical issues like headaches, tiredness, and muscle tension to mental challenges like anxiety and sleep problems. While reflexology is a powerful tool to promote deep relaxation and balance, I want to be able to support my clients further. That's why I've been training as a relaxation therapist this year. I want to give them tools they can use between sessions to manage stress better and feel more in control of their well-being.

What is Relaxation Therapy?

Relaxation Therapy is all about reducing stress and enhancing relaxation. Through the teaching of effective, proven techniques, it empowers individuals to transition from the stress response to the relaxation response. The practice of these techniques over time offers numerous benefits, such as decreasing stress and anxiety levels, reducing muscle tension and blood pressure, improving sleep and increasing feelings of calm, concentration, and self-confidence.

Volunteers Needed!

I'm now looking for case study volunteers for a 5-session programme. During the first session, we’ll look at your health and lifestyle and explore how stress affects your life. In subsequent sessions, I’ll guide you through personalised relaxation techniques, including progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, guided visualisations, mindfulness, and breathing exercises. These techniques can be integrated into your daily routine, together with lifestyle changes you may wish to consider, to enhance your overall well-being.

These sessions are free of charge. If you are interested, please contact me (info@sharonhantonreflexology.co.uk or 07976 219083) and share with others who you think might benefit.