30 Nov Reflexology: A Stress Reducer

By Deborah Hanson

Fall is a transition time for many families. Summer vacations are over and children have started back to school. Participation in sports and social groups have started up again. Parents are registering children for activities, planning childcare and are juggling everyday responsibilities. With the high number of demands, stress is inevitable for both parents and children.

Studies have shown that children are experiencing stress earlier and earlier.

“Increasingly, scientists are linking stress in infancy and childhood to the soaring numbers of people suffering from anxiety and depressive disorders from adolescence onward.” — Margot Sunderland, The Science of Parenting (2007).

More and more children are being diagnosed with depression and behavioural disorders such as ADHD and ADD. Research shows that the symptoms associated with these disorders are often an indicator that a child is suffering from stress. This stress is often manifesting as anxiety.

Anxiety is normal and can be healthy however it becomes a problem when it impairs wellbeing. Anxiety is the most prevalent mental health issue in childhood, and yet it frequently goes undetected and untreated. It can begin as early as age two but we see a significant rise when children enter the school system. Unless addressed, many will go on to suffer anxiety their whole lives.

There are many symptoms that can show your child is struggling with stress and anxiety such as mood swings, aggression, tantrums, sleep issues, digestive issues to name a few. These are not signs of bad children or bad parenting rather they are signs of a child’s inability to cope.

Some of the factors that contribute to the increased levels of stress in children are:

1. Insufficient or poor sleep
2. Overstimulation, especially from screens
3. Overanxious and stressed parent
4. Overscheduled childhoods

Parents can also struggle with anxiety and stress. As in children, when anxiety impairs our wellbeing it needs to be addressed. Stress will also manifest itself in physical symptoms such as headaches, sleep issues, back /neck pain and digestive issues to name a few.

Some of the factors that contribute to the increased levels of stress in Adults are:

1. Balancing home life and work life
2. Financial issues
3. Caring for aging parents
4. Balancing children’s schedules

Reflexology is a holistic health therapy that can be performed on anyone of any age. It has been proven to be an effective treatment in reducing anxiety and stress. It improves circulation which brings oxygen enriched blood to every body part. It aides in the release of endorphins which is our body’s natural pain killer. Reflexology encourages the body to go into rest and repair mode and helps the body attain balance.

If you or a member of your family are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned in this article consult with a Reflexologist. A Reflexologist will explain the benefits of Reflexology as it relates to your situation.

Debbie has trained and worked as an Early Childhood Educator, raised a family, cared for aging parents, worked in the corporate world as a manager for 20 years and has trained with the Atlantic School of Reflexology in Foot Reflexology.

Call Enigma Physical, Emotional and Mental Health Studio to book an appointment with Debbie at 902-495-3181.

Adult sessions run between 45 min and 1 hour.
Children’s sessions run between 20 and 30 min.