Your mental health can arguably be more important than your physical health. This is because your mental health sets the tone for your mood, your attitude, your day, and ultimately your life.
In reflexology, we often see areas of congestion on the feet before they manifest physically, very often these are signs of psychological stress, and if not dealt with, can lead to physical illness.
When your mind is in turmoil, it reflects on the feet.
Counselling is not part of a reflexologists training. The most we can do is listen and mirror / reflect what the person is saying back to them, which in some cases can help the patient find the answers to their own questions. However, if the person is struggling to process emotional / psychological issues, we will refer our patients to a coach or psychologist for further help.
Reflexology can help with mental health to a point: help you gain mental clarity; increase energy levels; improve feelings of control and the ability to cope. This is aided by the relaxing and detoxifying effects of reflexology as well as the stimulation of nerve functioning.
How and Why do emotions or psychological issues manifest physically?
This theory is not really accepted by mainstream medical professionals but is believed by many energy healers.
The theory of Dr Joe Dispense, taken from quantum physics, states that the issue starts as a thought and can end as a physical manifestation (either good or bad). This is where the saying ‘you create your reality’ comes from.
Do you check in with your mental health?
How can you practise looking after your health mental health:
Mental health is sometimes which has very often pushed aside. It is much less spoken about because we cannot physically see it, and some people do not understand it. However, many of these mental issues manifest physically at some point or the other, unless dealt with.
Practising these tips daily, until they become habit, can get you on the track to a healthy mental state.
- Check in with your mental health – whether you have a conversation with yourself on your way to work or going for a walk or even journaling. This gets you out of autopilot and into a state where you are able to change your state of being.
- ‘Brain dump’. This is a term I hear from people doing bullet journals. When you are feeling overwhelmed by ideas, a situation, etc, just write them all down. Writing things down helps you to focus the mind, clear the mind and sort your thoughts.
- Meditate – something you probably hear over and over again. But is so important for your mind to be quiet. Yoga is also seen as a form of ‘moving meditation’.
- Exercise – Let’s off many beneficial neurotransmitters to help us feel good, more motivated and reduce the feelings of being overwhelmed. Leon Taylor explains the benefits of physical movement for mental health in his TedX talk.
- Eat well – Include herbal teas, healthy fats and colourful whole foods in your diet and avoiding all artificial sweeteners, flavourants (especially MSG) and highly refined and processed foods.
- Build good / solid relationships – it might be the key to happiness. A continued Harvard Study that was initiated in 1938, seems to agree that this is the key to happiness.
- Do good for others – whether you volunteer your time, skills or some other form of donations. Even a simple act of kindness. Do unto others what you would have them do unto you. We are all connected.
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