The stress and tensions of 21st century motherhood could also be responsible for many mums’ health problems.
It is estimated that 80% of all today’s illnesses can be attributed to stress and tension, manifesting in conditions such as backache, headaches, insomnia, constipation and IBS.
While fitting in a full reflexology session might not be possible for a lot of mums, some basic DIY reflexology can easily be slotted into even the most hectic of schedules to help all modern mums feel brimming with health and happiness.
Busy mums tend to reach for a cup of tea or coffee to keep going, or a glass of wine at night, but reflexology can offer a far healthier alternative to a much-needed cuppa or boozy drink.
Here are five easy ways mums can use reflexology in their daily lives to boost energy and limit stress – the perfect way for mums to treat themselves.
Stay mentally alert
To give yourself a mental boost, focus on the reflex that relates to the thyroid gland. You do this by using your thumb to walk around the base of your big toe or thumb.
This is also the area to focus on to help weight loss, nervousness, rapid heart beat, dry skin and to control the levels of cholesterol in the blood.
This gland has also been called the third ovary and has been known to have a big impact on women’s health.
Beat stress and lethargy
To give yourself an energy lift, banish lethargy and beat stress, focus on the areas on the feet or hands that relate to the adrenal glands. By stimulating this area, you will regulate your metabolism, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation and motivate sluggish intestines. To do so, simply massage the middle inner sides of your feet or hands.
Quick Mood Lifter
To give yourself a quick mood boost, simply bring your endocrine system back into balance by working the reflex for the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.
To do this, simply massage your thumbs on both hands and/or both big toes, paying particular attention to the centre of the widest part of the toe or thumb.
This area could be a little sensitive to begin with but will improve with continued massage.
Banish tension
Deal with stress-induced tension, either physical or emotional, by massaging the reflex point that correlates with your nervous system.
The spinal cord transmits millions of messages back and forth between the brain and the body, while spinal nerves connect to the body’s organs, glands and other essential structures.
It is no wonder, then, that any abnormal tension on the muscles or ligaments will cause pressure on the spinal nerve.
To work your brain, roll your finger over the tips of your big toes and, to release tension on the spine, massage the inside of your foot.
Massaging these areas can also help with headache, PMS and constipation.
Overall boost
Even if you don’t have a particular problem, reflexology can help improve your overall wellbeing and make you feel more energised.
You can do this by massaging your solar plexus and diaphragm. Do so by drawing an imaginary line down from the third toe to just below the ball of the foot until you find a hollow.
If you are under stress, use your thumb to hold this point, while pressing slightly upwards for 20 seconds. Don’t lose contact as you release pressure, just relax it gently. Try this three times, breathing in as you press in and exhaling as you let go.
Alternatively, you can receive the benefits of reflexology in these and other areas by running a golf ball around in your hands, focusing on the areas where you feel you need the most help. This can even be done while waiting at traffic lights.
It might also help to walk on smooth pebbles in a driveway. This can’t pinpoint specific reflexes but can help boost a sense of wellbeing.