Has COVID-19 had an impact on your life choices?

This previous year has undoubtedly been tough on all of us and one idea that it has taught most of us is that life is simply short and loved ones can essentially be taken away with a blink of an eye. I think given all the challenges we have had to adjust to on a daily during the pandemic such as working from home, students and online learning, not being able to spend Christmas with our loved ones has been a real eye-opener. I faced a realisation that we all lived such fast-paced busy lives that we forgot to be present for our loved ones.

As we enter this new adjustment stage now, it’s time for some habit changes and reconsideration of the life we had prior. One hope humanity can have going into the new year is to live a more relaxed, happier and healthier life regardless of the types of lives we previously lived, and reflexology has been that valuable element for us.

What is reflexology?

Reflexology is one of the world’s well-renowned therapies that helps individuals to reduce pain and relax from their busy day-to-day life.

Reflexology is a treatment based on the concept that there are certain areas and points on the feet, hands, face and ears that are connected through the nervous system to corresponding parts of the body. When firm pressure is applied to these points, it stimulates certain areas/organs in the body and in turn releases tension in the body that is why, it’s a popular alternative therapy.

Health benefits of reflexology:

• Relaxation

• Improvement of brain function

• Reducing headaches caused by stress

• Relieving discomfort experienced through pregnancy and menstruation

• Eliminating toxins

• Improving digestion and heartburn

• Prevention from any illness

• Promotes recovery process

• Corrects hormonal imbalances

A 30-minute reflexology session during your lunch break at work can make a drastic difference in your productivity, energy levels, and key decision making (with no extra cost of unnecessary stress of changing clothes).

We surveyed a group of 30 office workers in London who admitted that their daily jobs were having both a physical and emotional strain on them.

 Scientific evidence

Studies show an increased percentage of stress, increase cortisol levels, risk of cancer, dementia and even risk of heart failure.

Stress contributes up to 80% for the development of any illness. Other 20% of stress will influence other conditions.

It has been suggested by a swiss study that patients who have undergone reflexology sessions showed a significant decrease in the amount of medication needed.

In a 2011 study funded by the National Cancer Institute, experts studied how reflexology treatments affected 240 women with advanced breast cancer. All women were undergoing medical treatment, such as chemotherapy.

The study found that reflexology helped to reduce some of their symptoms, including shortness of breath and also reported an improved quality of life.

I hope that I am able to motivate some of you to take both large and small steps that are tangible and lead you to live more fulfilling lives that are in line with your personal values.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-reflexology#research