Can Corporate Reflexology Improve Work-Related Stress?

Work-related stress is responsible for a high level of corporate sick days, low morale, and a drop in productivity across all sectors of industry.

While stress isn’t an illness in itself, it can make you ill, and as an employer or manager, you must protect and support your team.

There are many ways a member of staff can experience stress. By recognising the triggers you can take the first steps to provide the right support.

It’s not always work-related stress that causes an issue. Most of us carry the stress of our day-to-day lives with us wherever we go, and not having anyone or anywhere to turn to can amplify stress-related symptoms.

As an employer or team leader, you can reduce the impact of work-related stress and anxiety if you act quickly. Looking out for the following signs is a great start.

According to a report by the Health and Safety Executive, in the years before the coronavirus pandemic, work-related stress, depression, or anxiety had shown signs of increasing. In 2020/21 that rate was higher than the 2018/19 pre-coronavirus levels. The HSE estimates that 38.8 million days are lost per year in work-related ill-health with 21.6 days per person being taken off due to stress, depression, or anxiety.

Vitality accumulated data for their Britain’s Healthiest Workplace survey and they found that 56% of employees suffer from work-related stress, while 35% feel unwell because of stress from work.

How can employers support the mental health of their team?

There are many ways companies can support their staff and build a happier and healthier working environment. Here are a few areas you may wish to explore which can help reduce work-related stress.

Prepare risk assessments – for any business with fewer than 5 employees you are not obliged to do a written risk assessment. However, having something in place that reviews the operating processes within your company can flag up potential stressors. Highlight areas such as staff relationships, roles, potential changes, and work demands. A small amount of forward-thinking can assist your employees to manage their work stress and anxiety.

It’s good to talk – if your team knows you are approachable they are more likely to open up about any challenges they are facing. Have a dedicated time and space available should anyone need to talk, and make it known that someone will be there to listen. Talking about stress, depression, or anxiety can be difficult for some people, so as an employer or team leader you need to be confident to reach out to your staff and check on them.

Flexible working – most businesses are back in office buildings with staff returning to busy commutes and struggling to prioritise their workload with family commitments. Flexible working hours, where possible, can be invaluable for members of staff who are feeling vulnerable.

Offer an employee wellbeing programme – invite a qualified expert to visit your offices or place of work and give your employees the option of having holistic treatments or attending wellbeing workshops.

How does corporate reflexology reduce work-related stress?

Reflexology is a non-invasive complementary therapy where light pressure is applied to the soles of the feet stimulating the body’s healing process and bringing about a deep sense of relaxation and returning the client to a positive state of balance.

Onsite and online therapy days can create a community spirit within your company and are excellent when used as part of a team-building event.

Hands-on treatments immediately relieve physical stress and tension, and the employee is given handy guidance to help them use reflexology techniques at home in between sessions.

Talks and workshops help to encourage a workplace culture where employees take responsibility and play an active part in their own health and wellbeing.

Benefits of reflexology for work-related stress

I explore the general benefits of reflexology in more detail in my article, The 5 Benefits of Reflexology, which includes:

However, there are other benefits worth exploring when reflexology is used within a corporate environment.

Higher staff engagement levels – staff are more motivated and confident when they are operating at optimum health. Regular reflexology sessions balance the systems of the body and promote deep relaxation.

Time to focus – providing corporate reflexology or workshops gives your staff the time they need onsite to focus on themselves. A short session mid-way through the working day is enough to boost morale, increase productivity, and reduce work stress.

Appreciation – you can’t dismiss the impact feeling valued and appreciated has on your employees. Offering a wellbeing programme has been proven to reduce sick leave by over 65%.

What to expect during a corporate reflexology treatment

As the manager or team leader, you would provide a suitable space for employees to enjoy their therapy. The room should be as quiet as possible, warm, and private.

Each member of staff receives a consultation with a trained and qualified therapist who will ask about their medical history, lifestyle, and any health issues. Once this has been completed, the employee will remove their shoes and socks and sit on the reclining chair/therapy couch provided.

The reflexology sessions take between 30 minutes to an hour. Each session begins with the therapist using movements to promote all-over relaxation that helps to bring about clearer thinking for better decision-making. This is followed by gentle pressure on the soles of the feet using their thumbs. The session concludes with a relaxing foot massage.

To benefit fully from the treatments, a series of six sessions is advised.

Get in touch for a chat about how I can help you with regular reflexology sessions via my free Clarity Call.

FREE booklet: 5 Ways to reduce stress and Anxiety in your workplace

Discover five things you can do right now to reduce stress amongst your staff. Recognise where you can make changes to improve your workplace culture and show customers, employees, and suppliers that you take employees’ health and wellness seriously. Contact me for a copy of my free download.

About Sharon

Sharon lives with her partner, Geoff, in Warwickshire and they have two adult children. She worked for over 25 years in an office environment, gaining qualifications to degree level in finance, business and management. While there Sharon witnessed and experienced many stressful situations and suffered illnesses that were stress-related.

Sharon was advised to make some changes to her lifestyle which included trying complementary therapies. After experiencing the benefits of complementary treatments, Sharon decided to retrain and share her knowledge and experiences to help others recognise and manage their own physical and emotional stress and anxiety levels.

Sharon has been working as a complementary therapist for over 15 years now, and she loves helping people manage and reduce their stress levels, to feel uplifted, focused, positive and empowered about their lives.