How Does Stress Affect You?
Stress can be a silent intruder, sneaking into our lives and wreaking havoc in unexpected ways. From our minds to our bodies, its effects can manifest in a variety of ways:
🧠 Mind: Low mood, anxiety, depression, and a general feeling of being "flat" can all be signs of stress affecting our mental health.
🤯 Head: Headaches, migraines, tension, and jaw clenching or teeth grinding are common symptoms of stress.
😶 Throat/Voice: Dry throat, stuttering, or stumbling over words can indicate stress affecting our speech. Even a lack of talking can be a sign of stress.
💆♀️ Neck/Shoulders: Tense, tight muscles and stiffness are often felt in the neck and shoulders due to stress.
❤️ Chest: Tightness, pain, rib pain, trapped wind (intercostal pain) hyperventilation / panic attacks can affect the chest area and sometimes mistaken for heart-related issues.
🤢 Stomach: Nausea, acid reflux, and other digestive issues like bloating are common responses to stress.
🚾 Bladder: Feeling the need to urinate frequently when anxious is another sign of stress impacting the body.
🛀 Back: Aches and pains from the shoulders down the back to the pelvis can result from stress-induced muscle tension.
🤕 Skin: Eruptions rashes etc.
😡 High Blood Pressure: Stress can elevate blood pressure levels, posing risks to cardiovascular health.
😴 Poor Sleep Patterns: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep is a common consequence of stress.
😬 Feeling On Edge: A constant sense of agitation or inability to switch off can indicate high levels of stress.
⛔ Losing Interest: A decline in social interactions or loss of interest in activities once enjoyed can be linked to stress.
Reflexology great for reducing stress yet may not be the first solution that comes to mind, but it can be incredibly effective in combating stress and its symptoms. Once you experience its benefits and commit to a few sessions, you'll be amazed at how much it can improve your well-being.
Obviously always get yourself checked out with your registered GP in the first instance but remember reflexology is a supportive therapy designed to work in conjunction with your current medical care - It's why it's called "complementary"
Ready to give it a try? Reach out to me today and let's get you booked in. It's time you started feeling better.
