World Mental Health Day: The Role of Reflexology & Massage in Emotional Wellbeing
Every year on 10th October is World Mental Health Day. This day is a reminder that our emotional wellbeing is just as important as our physical health. For many of us, life moves so fast that moments of stillness, calm, and care for our nervous system fall to the bottom of the to-do list. But this day is about shining a light on the importance of mental health and encouraging conversations, practices, and therapies that can support us in feeling more balanced, resilient, and at peace.
At AB Wellness & Reflexology, we see every day how powerful, gentle, holistic therapies can be in helping people feel calmer and more connected. Reflexology and massage are two beautiful ways to support your mental wellbeing, especially during stressful or overwhelming times.
Reflexology & Mental Health: Calming the Nervous System
By working specific reflex points on the feet (or sometimes hands), reflexology taps into your nervous system and encourages the body to switch from “fight or flight” mode to “rest and restore” mode. When stress or anxiety takes over, the sympathetic nervous system ramps up, heart rate rises, breathing becomes shallow, and muscles tighten. Reflexology helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, giving your body permission to soften, slow down, and release built-up tension.
Many clients say they leave a session feeling “lighter,” more grounded, and often sleep better afterwards. For anyone struggling with anxiety, low mood, or simply feeling mentally overloaded, reflexology offers a reset button, gently encouraging balance and emotional clarity.
Massage for Emotional Wellbeing
Massage therapy is often thought of as a physical treatment, easing stiff shoulders, loosening tight muscles, or supporting recovery. But it goes deeper than that.
When we experience stress, grief, or burnout, we hold it in our bodies. Shoulders hunch. Jaws clench. Backs ache. Massage provides not only physical release but emotional support, too. Through nurturing touch, massage reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, while increasing serotonin and dopamine... the “feel good” neurotransmitters linked with improved mood and relaxation. Even just one massage session can make you feel calmer and more present, but regular treatments can play a role in supporting longer-term emotional resilience.
Why World Mental Health Day Is Important
World Mental Health Day is about bringing awareness front and centre. It reminds us to check in with ourselves and with the people we love. It encourages us to explore tools and therapies that help us cope with life’s ups and downs.
Holistic treatments like reflexology and massage don’t replace medical support for mental health conditions, but they can be a powerful complement. They offer time, space, and healing for your mind and body to work together in harmony.
A Gentle Invitation
This World Mental Health Day, give yourself the gift of time. Whether that’s a reflexology session to calm your nervous system, a massage to ease the weight you’ve been carrying, or simply a quiet moment of stillness with a cup of tea. Your mental health is just as valuable as your physical health. You deserve to feel supported, balanced, and whole.
If you’d like to experience the calming effects of reflexology or massage in our Chapelton treatment space, we’d love to welcome you. You can book online or get in touch with any questions.