Less Stress in Life by Deb Timmerman

05/02/2026

Today’s the day!

I’ll be at Gun Lake Wellness from 2–4 PM for a Mother’s Day Stress Care Box Pop-Up.

Stop in and build a thoughtful gift filled with calming, handcrafted wellness supports—herbal teas, foot soaks, and simple items to encourage rest, relaxation, and renewal.

Create one for your mom, a friend, someone who needs a little extra care… or yourself.

Boxes start at $25.

No rush. No pressure. Just a calm little space to choose something meaningful.

Saturday, May 2
2–4 PM
Gun Lake Wellness, between Southern Spoon and Sandbar on M179.

04/29/2026

Thanks for sharing this research study Irish Reflexologists' Institute!

We often talk about how reflexology feels - calming, grounding, restorative.
But what’s happening underneath that?

A double-blind randomised controlled trial (the gold standard in research) looked at what happens in the body during a reflexology session.

Researchers measured real-time cardiovascular responses in healthy volunteers and found:
✔️ Immediate changes in haemodynamics (how blood flows through the body)
✔️ A measurable effect on cardiac function, specifically the cardiac index
✔️ Effects observed during targeted reflexology on foot areas linked to the heart

In simple terms?
This wasn’t just “feeling relaxed” — the body showed objective, physiological changes in real time.

It’s a powerful reminder that touch therapies like reflexology can have measurable impacts beyond relaxation alone.

📚 Source: Jones et al. (2012) – Reflexology has an acute (immediate) haemodynamic effect in healthy volunteers: A double-blind randomised controlled trial

04/29/2026

This is where it all starts.

Blending teas, pulling together ingredients, and creating the pieces that will go into each Stress Care Box.

I’ve been slowly getting everything ready for Saturday…and it’s coming together beautifully.

Make plans to stop be between 2 and 4PM to sip, sample and craft your Mother's Day Stress Care box.

04/27/2026

There’s a constant conversation happening in your body. Cell to cell and system to system.

Most of the time, that conversation runs on autopilot, but when the body runs low on resources and it can’t adapt as easily as it once did, the signals get louder.

Today, notice what your body might be trying to say.

04/26/2026

I spent some of last week at the Reflexology Association of America national conference in Milwaukee, and I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to share with you.

There’s a growing interest in reflexology, not just as relaxation, but as a way to support the body and nervous system in a much deeper way.

This week’s blog is a reflection on what I’m seeing in the field right now…the research that’s emerging, the people behind the work, and why I continue to stay connected to what’s happening at a national level.

If you’ve ever been curious about reflexology or wondered how it might fit into your own health journey, this is a good place to start.

👉 Read here: https://lessstressinlife.com/1814/

04/26/2026

🥰 So glad I could experience this wonderful gathering! Sharing some thoughts in tomorrow’s blog.

04/25/2026

Saturday work hits a little differently when it includes learning, connection, and reflexology.

I’m spending the day at the RAA National Reflexology Conference, filling my cup professionally and personally.

Curious… how do you feel about working on a Saturday?

Are you a “no thank you, weekends are sacred” person, or a “depends what kind of work it is” person?

04/25/2026

What a wonderful day of learning at the Reflexology Association of America conference. I’ll share some of the juicy tidbits from the conference in my weekly blog on Sunday. Stay tuned!

04/22/2026

Your feet carry your body, all your movements and the load of your day.

We don’t think much about them until they hurt.

During Foot Health Awareness Month, it’s a good reminder to pay attention to how they feel and what they might be telling you.

This is part of why I’m so passionate about reflexology, both as a practitioner and a recipient.

More to come, as I head to the Reflexology Association of America conference for a deeper dive this week.

04/22/2026

Thanks to the Irish Reflexologists' Institute for preparing this great post about reflexology and management of workplace stress.

Work stress isn’t just about a busy inbox or long hours. It can impact sleep, mood, performance, and overall health.

So what actually helps?

One study exploring reflexology in a workplace setting found:
✔️ 96% of participants showed improvement after reflexology was applied
✔️ Over half experienced a complete disappearance of stress symptoms after a course of sessions
✔️ Stress levels decreased significantly in those at high risk of work-related stress

And this isn’t an isolated finding…
Other research has also shown that reflexology can reduce work stress and anxiety levels, particularly in high-pressure roles like healthcare management

But here’s the important nuance:
👉 The effects can be temporary if sessions aren’t continued
👉 Regular treatments may be needed to maintain the benefits over time

So what does this tell us?
Reflexology isn’t just a one-off reset. It can be a consistent tool for managing stress, especially when built into a regular routine.

Because when stress is constant…
your support systems should be too.

📚 Source: Foot Reflexology for the Management of Work Stress (2024) González Méndez et al.



Keywords: reflexology, work stress, stress management, workplace stress, holistic health, complementary therapy, stress relief techniques, burnout support, nervous system support, relaxation therapy, foot reflexology, wellbeing at work, occupational stress, natural stress relief, mind body connection

04/22/2026

You might not feel stressed.... but your jaw might be tight.
Your shoulders might be up near your ears.
You might be clenching your jaw or holding your breath.

Stress doesn’t always feel like stress, but the body always lets you know, if you’re willing to notice.