Mental Health Awareness Week: How Reflexology Can Support Your Mental Wellbeing
Mental Health Awareness Week in 2025 is on Monday, 12th May to Sunday, 18th May. This awareness week exists to remind us of the importance of looking after not just our physical health, but our mental health too. And here at ABWR, we believe the two are deeply connected. When life is moving at a million miles an hour, it’s no surprise that so many of us end up feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally drained. All those 'life' things like work, parenting, relationships, health challenges, or a little bit of everything, can just be a lot. That’s why it was really important for us to create a space where you feel like you can slow down and take a moment to just be calm. To reconnect. And that’s exactly what reflexology is designed to help with, too. In this blog, we're sharing how reflexology can support your mental health and why, if you haven't yet tried this therapy, now is a better time than ever to give it a go!
How does reflexology support your mental health?
Reflexology is a deeply relaxing therapy that involves applying gentle pressure to specific points on the feet (or hands), which correspond to various organs, systems, and areas of the body. It isn't just about physical touch, though. Many of our clients tell us it’s one of the few therapies they've tried where their mind truly switches off.
Reduces stress and anxiety
When you're in a constant state of ‘go, go, go’, your nervous system doesn’t seem to get a break. Reflexology activates your parasympathetic nervous system (your rest-and-digest mode), helping to lower cortisol levels and calm your entire body. You might notice your breathing slows, your shoulders drop, and your thoughts begin to settle during the session.
Improves sleep
When your mind is overactive, sleep can be the first thing to suffer. Reflexology supports hormone regulation (including melatonin and cortisol), helping you drift off more easily and enjoy deeper, more restorative rest.
Encourages emotional release
We often hold emotion in our bodies like tension in the jaw, tightness in the chest, and knots in the stomach. Reflexology gently works with these areas, helping to release emotional build-up and provide a sense of lightness and clarity. We often hear from clients who come for physical symptoms but leave feeling mentally lighter. One client recently shared:
“My body has never felt at ease and it is the only time in the month that I completely switch off and go to another world!”
Another told us:
“I recently went for (another) reflexology treatment and I was rushing around, talking loads and genuinely didn't think I'd be able to switch off but I left there feeling like I was floating.”
The science backs it too…
According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, reflexology was shown to reduce anxiety and improve mood in patients undergoing stress-related treatment. Another study found significant reductions in anxiety and stress after regular reflexology sessions over a six-week period.
Reflexology is gentle, nurturing and intuitive
It meets you where you are. You don’t need to show up in a particular way. You don’t need to know what you need. Just come as you are, in comfortable clothing, with an open mind, and we’ll take it from there. Your reflexology treatment at ABWR is personalised to you. No matter the challenge you’re facing right now, whether it's anxious thoughts, low mood, or burnout, we'll make sure we work on the areas you need it most and have you feeling calmer and more at peace.
If you’ve been wondering about reflexology and thinking you'd like to give it a try, or if you’re ready to rebook, we’d love to have you visit our calm treatment space here in Chapelton, Aberdeenshire.
- Book your next reflexology session here
- Want to try it for the first time? Sign up to our newsletter for 10% off your first appointment here
- Gift the experience to a loved one with our easy-to-order e-gift vouchers here