Long term stress and anxiety can have a negative impact on our health and well being. When we feel stressed or anxious, the sympathetic nervous system is activated and puts the body into fight or flight mode. This is a normal protective response to a threat. Once a threat is identified, the adrenal glands secrete adrenaline and cortisol into the blood preparing us for fight or flight. Long term stress and anxiety can lead to the over production of these stress hormones which can have a physical and psychological strain on the body leaving us depleted and exhausted. Other stress related effects include high blood pressure, impaired immune function, digestive issues, heart problems, weight fluctuation, trouble sleeping. Reflexology is very effective in activating the parasympathetic nervous system, our rest and digest system, encouraging stress hormones to decrease, heart rate and blood pressure to decrease, muscles to relax, digestion to resume and allowing our whole body to rest and repair. Reflexology can help to relax any tension being held in the body and also encourage the release of endorphins, our bodies natural pain killers and mood elevators. Regular reflexology treatments are an excellent way to offset the unhealthy effects of stress and bring a sense of calm and relaxation to the body and mind.