 The intention of every hairdresser I have ever met, and I have seen several in my massage practice over the years, is to make their clients look beautiful, to help them feel better about themselves and to improve their self-confidence. But this quest does not come without a price. Hairdressing is a demanding job for the stylist as well as everyone else on the salon team. To achieve their maximum potential as employees and experience life joyfully, stylists have to look after themselves and develop simple, sustainable wellness practices. Are you a hair stylist and you are not sure how to do that? I have a few ideas ... HIGH IMPACT Hairdressing is a physically high impact occupation hence the stylists coming for massage complaining of sore muscles and joints from head to toe. They are on your feet most of the day and often have to contort their bodies with arms lifted high and holding heavy dryers for long periods. No wonder the body complains. HIGH EMOTION Working as intimately with people and their, often vulnerable, self-images as they do, makes the hair stylist's workplace a high emotion environment. They have to be friendly, attentive and professional whether or not the client’s own demeanour makes it easy. All the time! HIGH ENERGY Hairdressing trends, techniques and product offerings are constantly changing and stylists are constantly bombarded with new information requiring stylists to be highly adaptive and fast learners. Salons itself are often high energy, noisy, busy environments leading to over-stimulated nervous systems and eventually to physical and mental fatigue. HIGH EXPECTATIONS Add to this the high expectations of not only clients expecting miracle make-overs, but also salon owners who set high targets and expect stylists to sell and market as well as do their work often in adverse economic conditions.  LOW ENERGY No wonder hairdressers and their support staff often feel tired to the point of burnout or that they complain of pain and discomfort in their bodies and a lack of joy in their lives. When nothing excites them any longer learning new things is a drag, being creative seems impossibleand before long they lose interest in the very thing that used to be their passion, their purpose in life. Hairdressing becomes just a job but with less than comfortable hours and top-notch pay. LOW LIFE And from there it is not a big step to judging oneself to be no longer happy with life in general. In the process of making others look and feel better, the stylist has drained your own energy. So what now? There are a few options:
But there is a fourth option. So if you are a stylist or salon owner I am talking to you. You can invest in your own workplace wellness and develop the physical, mental, emotional and social skills to move beyond just coping to joyfully spending your days doing what you love. Too tired, or you just don't know how to go about it? Let's talk. I have developed a short programme that can help you start the process of taking back your enjoyment of your occupation and your life by incorporating undemanding, simple but sustainable habits and wellness practices. But I am not a hairdresser or salon owner, I need your input. To improve the programme and get it just right for you as a hairstylist or salon owner or employee, please complete the short survey below
2 Comments
9/8/2018 04:12:54 am
We all should take good care of our hair, the hair that we have is our shining glory. We must always keep an eye to the health of it so that we may be able to maintain a healthy and strong hair. This can make a huge impact in our lives and can make a big improvement that will let us appreciate our lives. We will be thankful for these blessings and that is learning to love ourselves. Taking good care of our physical appearance can go a long way.
Elmarie de Brui
11/7/2018 07:17:26 pm
Ons het al gesels oor d werksomstandighede. Leave a Reply. |
Erika KrugerI am Erika Kruger, self-care skills trainer & mentor. I am here for every person who realises that their wellbeing is THEIR business. 
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