What helps adults' after-effect anxiety from Covid?

Many individuals experienced during and after Covid #fear, #anxiety, #worry or #stress is some form, which probably remains in many people now. It is normal, because most of us don't know what we are facing and the fearful unknown will naturally trigger these #feelings. There are people who have anxiety without being hospitalised or even without getting the #covid. Imagine how that person must have felt, who has been in hospital and experienced it really bad or their families #worrying, who cannot even visit them. How about people that were already #vulnerable experiencing anxiety? As we know many things in life can trigger it, usually a #negative or traumatic event or experience.

#Isolation seemed to change people in some ways. On many occasions depressing them or turning on their own family members (domestic violence grew by only 33% during the #lockdown what we know of), as a result of not being able to do work or not being able to socialise with others. But we know for sure, a lot of people turned it around, either taking advantage of doing things that they have never had the time for or actually looked at the #positive side of taking #caring of themselves or spending more time with their families. And of course, there were or are individuals that have not been affected, at least that is what they say and show. This is just a few examples of Covid-affect and after-effect.

How should we manage our fears, worries or anxieties?

There are many ways to #help ourselves to get through this period such as #mindfulness techniques, #meditation, #visualisation, #distraction doing other things, getting back to normal activities, self-awareness techniques which I should really start with. Knowing who you are will help you figure out how you can get through this kind of uncomfortable situation.

How can reflexology help?

Our nervous systems are activated by a stress related emotion that causes increased blood pressure and a fast heart rate in the body. People with stress and depression produce a high level of corticosterone. This is a stress hormone that influences the entire body, social skills and behaviour, changes our mood and our reaction to life events.

I have been talking about how reflexology works in blogs and my homepage too but lets just summarise again. Certain foot and hand zones correspond to some anatomical body parts and applying pressure could unblock energy flow and realising tension, therefore releasing stress. #Energy flow can be blocked resulting in depression, according to Ancient Chinese philosophy.

A massage treatment opens up better blood circulation in the body, oxygen flows into the brain, the blood. Reflexology also breaks down lactic acid crystals in the feet.

My feet and hand reflexology process

I provide an initial consultation checking your medical history, thus your first session lasts 1-1.5 hours but usually is 45-60 minutes / session. This is followed by a short massage session preparing the foot or the hand for reflexology. While I am applying gentle pressure to the feet and the hand, with special massage techniques I learnt I am able to spot subtle changes to certain points that are in #imbalance. Those points will be worked on that are corresponding to their specific, connected #organs and affected systems in the body. During these sessions mental and physical tension is realised and a state of #relaxation is induced. Reflexology eliminates #toxins in the body, encourages the flow of blood to body organs, activates the endocrine system, releases #energy for an optimum nervous system function, it relaxes, and releases endorphins feel-good hormones to reduce stress levels. After the first session, we will discuss the treatment. Although, throughout the session we notice together with the client what are the sensitive points and how it makes the person feel in his / her body, what part of her body was connected with a nerve block. Overall, we figure out what body points need attention because of nerve blockages. I will give after care advice as well.

A real-life anxiety case and recommendations

I met up a friend for lunch the other day. She had difficulties eating, #breathing. She told me she gets anxiety from different foods such as chilli (that she had that day) sugar, caffeine, dairy, alcohol etc. and heat but she reckons it's more (perimenopausal) hormonal. We are both above 40 so it's understandably a normal process ought to happen to all of us. I started to massage her hand (right), especially on two pressure points she felt a deep pain. I told her that it was her spine and digestive problems. She told me her nape, neck and shoulders always get tense during anxiety and she is eating foods that she is intolerant too. I suggested to her, every time she experiences anxiety, to massage her own hand (especially on the go), also helps to take her mind off anxiety and ease blocked nerve points connected to tense areas in her body. She felt more relaxed and calmer within minutes literally. I directed her to Ally Brown’s DIY hand reflexology video, that she could learn and use as well. Please follow the link: DIY reflexology for stress and anxiety - The Natural Health Hub a very helpful method to release stress and anxiety, I would use myself.

Another great reflexology methodology to do at home when feeling #frustrated, stressed or #overwhelmed is applying pressure on the feet, the solar plexus point & the adrenal point. Have a quick read of 2 effective Reflexology points to reduce Stress and Anxiety and increase wellbeing — The Footprint Connection by Sand Mews. It is two very simple touches on the foot that can make a massive difference and are described straight to the point therefore you will remember them easily. I recommend using them during a relaxing #yoga session (perfect in butterfly / cobbler’s pose) or at meditation, at least try to remember it, it will add to your overall well-being.

I hope all the above will help you with your daily anxieties, stresses. Drop a line to klara.reflexology@gmail.com or get in touch on 07912 287453 if you need further assistance with anything and of course if you want to book for any of my sessions.

Best wishes

Klara

#traumaticevent #covidaffect #covidafteraffect #knowingwhoyouare #selfawareness #mindfulness #reflexology #stresshormones #emotional #nerves #nervesystem #handreflexology #footreflexology #releasetension #unblockenergyflow #releasetension #AncientChinesephilosophy #massagetreatment #bloodcirculation #oxygenflows #breakdownlacticacid #massagetechniques #mentaltension #physicaltension #nerveblock #nerveblockages #foodintolerance #foodallergens #calmingtechniques #relaxationmethods #DIYreflexology #allybrown #solarplexuspoint #adrenalpoint #overallwellbeing

Sources

Managing fear and anxiety, NHS, https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/managing-the-effects/effects-on-your-mind/managing-fear-and-anxiety/

Domestic abuse during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, England and Wales: November 2020, Office for National Statistics,

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/domesticabuseduringthecoronaviruscovid19pandemicenglandandwales/november2020

Relax the feet, Kendrick Smith, 2017, How Reflexology Can Help with Depression | Relax The Feet

DIY reflexology for stress and anxiety, The Natural Health Hub, DIY reflexology for stress and anxiety - The Natural Health Hub

2 Effective reflexology Points to reduce stress and anxiety and increase wellbeing, Sand Mews, 2017, The Footprint Connection, 2 effective Reflexology points to reduce Stress and Anxiety and increase wellbeing — The Footprint Connection