Are you suffering from stress or anxiety or a mixture of both?

Stress and anxiety are often used interchangeably and share some common symptoms. 

Here are just a few of the common symptoms

  • Shortness of breath or hyperventilating
  • Sweating
  • Heart palpitations
  • Nausea
  • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Irritability
  • Digestive problems like constipation, bloating and or diarrhoea.

So are you suffering from stress, anxiety or a mixture of both?

The root cause of stress and anxiety tend to be different but there are overlaps in the symptoms which can make it difficult to decide which is affecting you. Of course it could be a mixture of both stress and anxiety feeding each other. You are stressed so you are anxious – you are anxious so you are stressed!

Stress is a normal response to a situation or event that feels challenging. 

Some examples of stressful situation could be:

  • A demanding job,
  • Relationship problems
  • Money worries. 

Anxiety comes from excessive fear and worry, even when there is no apparent treat. Which can be triggered by stressful or traumatic events in early childhood or adulthood or a current stressful situation.

Stress can be useful in short bursts to help inspire you or motivate you and focuses your energies.  But long-term stress is not a good thing and needs addressing.

Sadly, almost ¾ of the UK population have suffer from stress or anxiety at some point in the past year that has left them feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope. (Mentalhealthorg)

Reflexology can help to relieve stress and anxiety.

It is especially beneficial when used alongside other natural remedies such as eating a healthier diet, cutting back on alcohol and caffeine consumption, getting better sleep, and taking regular exercise.

Reflexology can also be used together with conventional treatments such as CBT and antidepressants.

Reflexology works by applying gentle pressure to reflex areas in the feet which correspond to different parts of the body.

The special massage used by reflexologists unblocks nerve endings in the feet, rebalances the lymphatic and endocrine system and boosts the circulation.

In this way, reflexology induces a state of calm throughout your body and mind, leaving you feeling less stressed and anxious.

For more information on how reflexology may be able to help you please give me a call on 07835 340940 or visit my reflexology page on this website.

Looking for something different this year for Mother’s Day.

Mother's-Day-reflexology

Why not give her a reflexology as her Mother’s Day treat.

Mother’s Day is when you let that special someone know just how much you love her. To say thank you for all she has done or simply just because she is your mum.

Reflexology can improve your

  • sleep
  • mood
  • anxiety levels
  • relaxation
  • sense of well-being

She will love it.

Don’t just take my word for it. Look at the reviews on this website to find out what others think or check out my 5 Star reviews on facebook.

I make up personalised gift boxes for that special person in your life to the value of £30, £45 and £65.

  • 30 minute sessions cost £30
  • 60 minute sessions cost £45
  • 90 minute sessions cost £65

Included in the gift box is a voucher for the treatment you have purchased. Leaflets about reflexology and its many benefits. Plus a pen and a bar of chocolate.

Gift boxes can be collected from Feet First Reflexology or sent by post (£3.50 p&p).

Payment for each gift voucher is via bank transfer if posted or cash/credit card if collected in person.

To order you relaxing gift email me @ michelle@feetfirstreflexology.org or call me on 07835 3409040.

I look forward to hearing from you.

The Perfect Temperature for Reflexology & Reiki All Year Round

perfect-temperature-using-air-conditioning

Keeping my treatment room at exactly the right temperature for reflexology and reiki has proved a challenge over the last 8 years.

But as of February 2023 this challenge of finding the perfect temperature is no more.

Because I have now installed an air conditioning unit that keeps my treatment room at the optimum temperature regardless of the weather and the seasons.

This means you’ll always be warm enough in the winter and cool enough in the summer.

Moreover, there’ll be no more:

  • Rescheduling and closing my treatment room during the hottest days of the summer.
  • Having treatments in the garden and not being able to use my electric couch.
  • Cluttering up my treatment room with panel heaters and convector heaters.
  • Using noisy portable fans to cool or warm the room.
  • Insects buzzing around and causing a nuisance because the windows and doors are open.

The air conditioning unit is very easy to control. It takes just a few minutes to get the room to the perfect temperature for your reflexology or reiki sessions at Feet First Reflexology.

Not only is this air conditioning unit going to help with cooling and warming my room, it is also going to reduce my energy consumption and it will lessen my carbon footprint.

This is great because we’re all trying to do our bit to combat global warming.

Why did I choose an air conditioning unit?

Well. I considered many options:

  • New blinds – without holes that would fit closer to the roof
  • New blinds on the side windows where the sun hits the conservatory all morning
  • A warm roof – changing the glass roof for a solid roof
  • Moving to a different location
  • Air conditioning unit

Some of these did not make sense. For example:

  • Why move to a different location when the one I have now is perfect?
  • Warm roofs cost nearly as much as a new conservatory!
  • Blinds on the roof and windows would make the room feel smaller and darker.

That said, I was hesitant about installing an air conditioning unit.

It seemed expensive to buy and install.

Plus, I worried that it would be difficult to operate and costly to run.

However, I was wrong.

Not only was the unit less expensive than other options, but the running costs are also much lower than I expected.

Overall, I’m delighted with the choice I made!

Right now my treatment room is lovely and toasty warm even though it’s cold and frosty outside.

I’m now especially looking forward to those hot sunny days and doing your reflexology and reiki whilst staying cool and looking out over the open fields.

My recommendation for air conditioning.

I highly recommend Intelli-Cool Air Conditioning, Cambridge.

Business owner Alan Webb is expert on air source heat pumps/ air conditioning units.

His work is of the highest quality.

He’ll make sure you get the right unit to keep your room at the perfect temperature.

Contact him on 07775 610102 and be sure to let tell him know that I recommended him to you.

Finally, I look forward to welcoming you for a perfect treatment, at the perfect temperature in the perfect location.

What do Health Care Cash Plans & reflexology have in common?

health care cash plans and reflexology

Do you have a health care cash plan & have reflexology?

If the answer is yes you have a health care cash plan and yes you have reflexology then you may be able to claim some or all the cost of your reflexology sessions, depending on the company you are with, your level of cover and how many treatments you have per year.

Here is a list of some companies I found that include reflexology:

  • *BHSF
  • *BUPA
  • *Health Shield
  • *Medicash
  • *Paycare
  • *Simplyhealth
  • *Sovereign Health Care
  • *UK Healthcare

To qualify as a therapist you have to be insured, hold a relevant qualification and a member of a recognised association.

Good news I fit the criteria necessary for you to claim.

All you need from me is a receipt, which I will email to you as a PDF.

But the good news doesn’t stop there.

You can also claim for:

  • dental check-ups
  • eye tests and glasses/contact lenses
  • health screening and specialist tests
  • physiotherapy
  • other complementary and alternative therapies

Here is an example of a health care cash plan:

For £10 per month you could claim back, per year

Physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture£50.00
Chiropody/podiatry & reflexology Treatment from an HCPC registered£50.00
Dental Includes check-ups and treatment, for example fillings, crowns and bridges, hygienist fees, gum shields£50.00
Optical Sports or everyday prescription glasses, prescription sunglasses and contact lenses£50.00
NHS or private prescriptions£20.00
  
Total you could claim back£220.00

**It is only cost effective if you see the dentist and the optician regularly, have reflexology or see the chiropractor, osteopath or acupuncturist.

  *Please note that I have not fully investigated each plan and I do not endorse any one company.  Please do your own due diligence.

For more help and advice on health care cash plans go to:

Martin Lewis – Money saving expert has more information if you are interest. 

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/healthcare-cash-plans/

Al Fresco Reflexology

Al-fresco-reflexology

The weather’s getting warmer, the days are getting longer and the garden’s in full bloom.

Which can only mean one thing…it’s time for al fresco reflexology.

The treatment room is lovely but on a hot summer’s day you might prefer to be outside where you can enjoy the fresh air and the cool shade.

So, you can now book al fresco reflexology between 1st June and 30th September.

Your treatment will take place in a secluded spot looking out over the garden and open fields beyond.

And if the great British weather doesn’t play ball on your appointment day, we’ll simply stay inside.

You’ll be pleased to know that there’s is no additional charge to enjoy a relaxing open air reflexology.

Book now.

Relaxing Covid-19 Rules

masks-off-june-2022

We are now in a period where the instances of Covid-19 in the community are in strong decline thanks to the vacination program and the change of seasons.

As a result, from 1st June 2022 it will no longer be necessary for you to:

1. Confirm by email 24 hours before attending treatments that you are free of Covid symptoms

2. Wear a mask when you visit Feet First Reflexology

However, Feet First Reflexology will continue to do everything possible to provide a wonderful reflexology or reiki experience whilst continuing to be Covid-19 secure.

For full details on what to expect when you visit from 1st June 2022 please go to the dedicated Covid-19 page.

And then relax because you’ll be in safe hands.

Feet First Reflexology & MIND CPSL

Your health and wellbeing are important to me especially at this time of year.

We have all endured some tough times over the last two years.

Traditionally at this time of year I would buy my clients a gift, however, this year I have decided to do something a little different……

I have donated £250.00 to our local Mind CPSL instead.

Mind CPSL, are passionate about positive wellbeing and provide support to local people who may experience mental health challenges. To find out more about what Mind has to offer click here.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Give the Gift of Wellbeing

gift-box-feetfirstreflexology

Wellbeing is the watch word for this year’s World Reflexology Week (WRW).

With WRW 2021 in full swing, have you considered giving your loved one the gift of wellbeing?

£40 buys you a beautifully wrapped gift box that includes a full one hour reflexology treatment.

For £50, you can either reserve a truly indulgent extended reflexology or your loved one can opt for a combined reflexology and reiki treatment.

World Reflexology Week runs until Saturday 26th September.

But don’t worry, gift boxes are available all-year round because wellbeing is welcome at any time of the year.

To purchase a gift box please contact me, Michelle, in any of the following ways:

Phone:  07835 340940

Email: michelle@feetfirstreflexology.org

Facebook Message:  Feet First Reflexology

Contact Form: feetfirstreflexology.org/contact

World Reflexology Week 2021

world-reflexology-week-2021

Did you know that this week is World Reflexology Week?

World Reflexology Week (WRW) was inaugurated back in 1999 by the International Council of Reflexologists and has run every year since then. 

Each year there’s a new theme for the week.

This year it’s Reflexology for Wellbeing.

Reflexology for Wellbeing

Our collective experience of the last 18 months has shown that we can’t take wellbeing for granted.

Reflexology works on the whole body to promote general health and wellbeing.

Clients have found reflexology particularly beneficial with all of the following:

Try Reflexology

If you’ve been considering reflexology for wellbeing but not yet given it a try, why not book your first treatment with me?

I’ve been a professional reflexologist since 2003 so your feet will be in good hands!

What’s more, I’m truly blessed to have received over fifty 5-Star reviews

Call me on 07835 340940 to make arrangements for your visit to Feet First Reflexology, Bluntisham: your sanctuary to relax, rebalance and restore.

As a member of the Association of Reflexologists, I’m proud to support World Reflexology Week.