Self-help Stress routine

What with everything going on in the world today, it can be quite an unsettling time and you could be feeling more stressed than normal. Reflexology can really help to calm the mind, ease your stresses, and restore the body back to how it should be working.  I normally work on the feet, but you can also practice reflexology on yourself on your hands, and although it's not as relaxing as having someone do it for you, it's still beneficial! 

So why not try it for yourself? Put on some calming music, light your favourite candle, and grab some hand cream. Rub the cream in first and give yourself a general hand massage, then work the following areas.

Solar Plexus & Adrenals: Use your thumb or knuckles to work into the solar plexus and adrenals. The solar plexus is in the centre of the diaphragm and it can be affected when we are stressed due to changes in our breathing. By working on this point, you can help promote relaxation in the body. Try pressing down on it and taking a deep breath in, and then releasing the pressure on it while breathing out. Do this a few times on both sides. The adrenals are another point affected by stress and they control our "fight or flight" response. You can find this point at the bottom of the line when you put your thumb and forefinger together. Pinch it with the thumb and forefinger of your other hand and you should be able to feel it when you get the point, it can feel quite tender. The idea with reflexology is that we work away these tender spots. So, work at a pressure that feels good to you. 

Pineal & Pituitary Gland: The pineal gland is responsible for your circadian rhythms which controls your sleep patterns, so by working on this pressure point you can help regulate your sleep patterns. The pituitary gland regulates your hormones and it can help to work this area if you've been feeling a bit out of balance with your hormones or if you've been stressed. In the hand the area for the pituitary and pineal gland is the same. It can be found in the centre of your thumb print. Sometimes you can feel a little nodule in this area. I find it's best to get into this point with the corner of the knuckle of your other thumb. 

Spine: The spine can be a great area to work on to release and tension caused by stress. Work along the line on the outer edge of your thumb and focus on areas that are tender. The best way to do this is to walk your other thumb down the line, pressing in as you go and focusing on the tender spots. ​
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This routine is great to do at any time of day, but would be best when you are already relaxed, so try and incorporate it into your bedtime routine and see if it has an effect on your sleep.