Mental Health Tips to Prevent Burnout and Build a Sustainable Career

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which aims to increase awareness of the vital role mental health plays in our health and well-being and to amplify resources and information to support those in need. While it's important to take care of your mental health all year long, now may be a good time to reflect on how you are feeling and what you can do during the rest of the year to care for your needs. We connected with three industry professionals actively working on initiatives to support beauty pros in managing their mental health and preventing burnout. They offered valuable insights on recognizing the early signs of burnout, practical steps to prioritize self-care and resources worth investing in to maintain mental well-being. By taking these steps, you can protect your mental health, foster business growth and create an environment where you can truly thrive.

The Warning Signs 

When you are in a busy season, it can be easy to dismiss or ignore warning signs that you are burned out. However, it's important to check in with yourself before it's too late. 

While it can be easier to diagnose your own physical symptoms, it may be more difficult to tell if a co-worker is struggling, so you can get them the resources and help they need. This is why Ben Mollin (@thebenmollinproject), CEO and Founder of the Ben Mollin Project, shares that only you can truly identify and diagnose if you are feeling burned out. 

"When it comes to mental health, the only one who can make it known that you are suffering is you," he says. "Asking someone if they’re okay is a great first step. Creating a safe space is the only way to know if someone is truly suffering. Listening is the best thing you can do. Sometimes saying it out loud is the first step towards healing."

If you are in search of signs and symptoms to look out for, Daniel Mason Jones (@danielmasonjones), hairstylist and co-creator of the Head Up program, shares what he has noticed as common behavior that may suggest burnout. 

"Some key warning signs include a noticeable change in mood, energy or enthusiasm," he explains. "A stylist who is usually upbeat might become withdrawn, irritable or overly anxious. Other signs include difficulty concentrating, exhaustion, loss of passion for their work, increased absenteeism or neglecting self-care. Physical signs, such as frequent headaches or stomach issues, can also be indicators of stress and mental health struggles." 

Elizabeth Faye (@heyelizabethfaye), Founder and CEO of The Vitality Project, emphasizes the importance of preventing burnout before it happens by building tools and practices into your routine that you can implement daily. 

Best Practices 

Juggling multiple responsibilities can make the idea of adding new routines, practices or habits to your schedule seem daunting and overwhelming; however, it's crucial to make time to care for your mental well-being, so you don't face serious consequences down the road. Our pros share small steps you can take every day to help avoid feeling anxious, stressed or burned out. 

When it comes to your work behind the chair, it's necessary to set clear and realistic boundaries. This means knowing when to say no to extra clients, working late or agreeing to long services that consume your day and mental energy. Ben Mollin is a 2-time Ironman finisher and ultramarathon runner in addition to the work he does for the hair community.Courtesy of Ben Mollin

"Saying no and meaning it is essential," Mollin elaborates. "It’s in our nature to be people pleasers, and that’s why we’re awesome! However, when you spread yourself too thin, you lose your full potential." 

You should also stay hydrated and nourished throughout the day. While energy drinks and caffeine may seem like a good option for a pick-me-up throughout the day, your well-being will eventually be altered with consistent and repeated use. 

"Proper nutrition directly affects energy and mental clarity," Faye emphasizes. 

Also, take breaks throughout the day! Whether it's 60 seconds of deep breathing, a quick walk, fresh air or taking a moment to check in with yourself, these practices can help reset and regulate your nervous system. 

Once the salon day is over, Mason Jones shares that you should take time to decompress. 

"Have a ritual that signals the end of the workday, whether it is listening to music, journaling or taking a walk." 

Caring for You is Caring for Your Business 

While there may be a stigma that putting yourself first is selfish, it's actually quite the opposite! If you want your business to thrive and to be successful in everything you do as a hair pro, you need to care for you, which means prioritizing your mental health. 

"When stylists prioritize their mental health, they have more energy, creativity and emotional resilience. Clients are drawn to positive energy, and when we are at our best, we provide a better experience," Mason Jones says. "According to industry studies, salons with strong workplace culture and mental health support have higher retention rates, both for stylists and clients. Additionally, burnout leads to high turnover, which costs businesses thousands in lost revenue. Taking care of ourselves is the most respectful thing that we can do." 

Faye adds that wellness equals sustainability in the industry, saying a burned out stylist isn't building long-term wealth. 

"Studies show that salons prioritizing wellness retain 3x more staff than those that don't," she explains. "88% of beauty pros report wellness challenges, and 1 in 3 consider leaving the industry due to burnout." 

To avoid feeling burned out from your work in the salon, consider hiring a co-stylist to help alleviate some of the workload. It's also important to set boundaries and create realistic scheduling expectations, so you don't overwork yourself. Also, feel free to take days off for your mental health, just as you would for your physical health. 

Reducing the Stigma: What Can We Do Better? 

There's long been a stigma surrounding mental health that has caused countless to feel ashamed or embarrassed, leading to signs and symptoms of burnout, anxiety, depression or other serious mental health troubles to be dismissed or ignored. Oftentimes, people feel like they need to hide when they are struggling, instead of seeking help and community. These stigmas have harmed many, and it's time to do better. 

So, what can we do to reduce this stigma, so more people feel comfortable speaking openly about their troubles and doing what is necessary to care for their well-being? 

"We need to start treating wellness as a business strategy, not an afterthought."Courtesy of Elizabeth FayeOur pros all recommend creating a salon/spa culture where it's safe, acceptable and normalized to check-in with each other and talk about mental/emotional health. By connecting with others in the industry, whether it's co-workers, mentors or other hair pros, you're building a community that helps you realize you aren't alone in your struggles. 

"Nobody wants to admit to being weak and lost. This needs to stop for the simple fact that we all feel this way — maybe not all the time, but at one point in our lives, we all do," Mollin says. "This means that having mental health issues affects all of us. It’s impossible not to have some form of suffering. I think it’s important to know that it’s normal to have mental health issues." 

Mason Jones emphasizes the importance of seeking help if you are struggling. 

"Another stigma is that you have to handle everything by yourself when, in truth, seeking help is a sign of strength. We can reduce stigma by having open conversations, normalizing self-care and implementing mental health education within salons," he says. 

Within the hair and beauty industry, our pros recommend building more support systems and wellness initiatives, such as mental health training in beauty schools, implementing wellness check-ins in salons and providing mental health resources tailored to beauty professionals.

"We need to start treating wellness as a business strategy, not an afterthought. The biggest gap? Education and resources," Faye says. "Beauty schools train us on technique but not on emotional intelligence, energy management, nervous system regulation or burnout prevention. Salon/spa owners need tools to support their teams' well-being without adding extra work with their overflowing plate. More mental/emotional wellness and workplace wellness initiatives need to be built into the industry because turnover is costing businesses thousands." 

Elizabeth Faye Breaks Down Common Misconceptions 

Sometimes we think…

❌ "If you’re struggling, you’re weak."

 💡 Truth: Strength isn’t suffering in silence—it’s asking for support and prioritizing self care.

❌ "Mental/emotional health doesn’t affect my work."

 💡 Truth: Your energy is your business. When you’re not well, it impacts your creativity, client experience, retention and yes INCOME.

❌ "Self-care is selfish."

 💡 Truth: You can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself is the key to longevity in this career.

The more we talk about mental/emotional wellness openly, the more we remove the stigma. Leaders in the industry need to normalize wellness as a business essential, not a luxury.

Courtesy of the Vitality Project

Get Involved: Mental Health Initiatives in the Industry 

One of the best ways to break down stigmas surrounding mental health is to get involved. Thankfully, our pros are building communities and opportunities to do just that. 

Mason-Jones co-created L'Oréal Professionnel's Head Up Program, which is dedicated to equipping beauty professionals with the tools to manage stress, anxiety and burnout. In partnership with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), the program provides education, workshops and real-world strategies to prioritize mental health in the salon space. "I knew I had to be part of the solution," Mason Jones recalls. "I wanted to help stylists feel supported, seen and empowered to take care of themselves."Courtesy of Daniel Mason Jones

"As a hairstylist for two decades, I have seen firsthand how deeply we absorb the emotions of our clients and how little training we receive on managing our own mental well-being. After experiencing my own struggles with anxiety and burnout, I knew I had to be part of the solution," Mason Jones recalls. "I wanted to help stylists feel supported, seen and empowered to take care of themselves." 

Mollin recently became a suicide prevention specialist for a nonprofit organization called Crisis Line, where anyone in need can text HOME to 741-741 to be connected to a specialist. He is also the founder and CEO of the Ben Mollin Project, which helps hair professionals unlock their true potential. 

"What I’ve learned about hairdressers is that when we feel like we are at our worst, we’re actually at our most creative. It’s just about turning that bad energy into useful energy. That’s what my project is all about. I believe everyone has a story that needs to be heard and a voice to tell it," Mollin explains. 

Last year, Faye launched The Vitality Project, the first turnkey Workplace Wellness program for salons, spas, and beauty schools. 

"It's a plug-and-play solution that helps businesses integrate wellness education into their culture, provide emotional, mental and physical wellness resources to their teams and reduce burnout, increase retention and improve workplace morale," Faye says. "Through wellness education, breath work, trauma-informed coaching and leadership training, we're giving the industry the tools it should have had all along." 

Faye decided to start the program after experiencing burnout and a health crisis that forced her to change her patterns of behavior. 

"I saw too many talented beauty pros leaving the industry, struggling with their wellness and health and feeling unsupported," Faye reflects. "I knew if I could combine my industry knowledge with wellness tools, I could help beauty pros build long, fulfilling careers where they thrive—personally and professionally." 

Prioritizing You Isn't Selfish! 

As we enter Mental Health Awareness Month and the second-half of the year, we asked our pros to share a final message to our readers about the importance of prioritizing your mental health, so they can have successful, sustainable careers in the industry. Here's what they had to say: 

"Your well-being is not a luxury—it’s a necessity," Faye emphasizes. "You are more than just your craft. You are a whole human with needs, emotions and energy that deserve to be nourished, protected and prioritized. The industry is changing. You don’t have to burn out to be successful. Let’s build a new standard—where beauty pros don’t just survive, but thrive." 

"Your mental health is just as important as your technical skills (actually more). You can not pour into your clients and business if your own cup is empty," Mason Jones says. "Prioritizing your well-being is not selfish, in fact, I feel it’s the exact opposite. It’s necessary for a long, fulfilling career. We must keep the conversation going, break the stigma and support each other in this industry. You are not alone!"

"Forgive yourself before you forgive others. The past is a very scary place if you suffer from mental illness. It never goes away, and you can never outrun it, drink it or yell it away. Let go of the past. Focus only on the present," Mollin says. "Forgive yourself for not being perfect. Learn to become patient. In a world full of instant gratification, be okay with not being okay. When we become patient, the urge to hurry up goes away. But most of all, strive to be happier than you were when you woke up. It’s little changes that matter the most. Love yourself more; you deserve it. I love you, and you’re in the greatest industry on earth." 

About the Experts 

Ben Mollin (@thebenmollinproject) is an award-winning speaker, two-time Ironman finisher, ultra marathon runner, an international recognized hairdresser and an international recognized leader in personal development and peak performance strategies. He has been teaching entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders and people from all walks of life how to create the life they desire. He is also the Founder and CEO of The Ben Mollin Project. 

Daniel Mason Jones (@danielmasonjones) is a hairstylist, educator, transformative speaker and cheerleader for the hair and beauty industry. He is also the co-creator of L’Oreal Professionnel's Head Up program, which is a free mental health training program for hair professionals. 

Elizabeth Faye (@heyelizabethfaye) is a leader, advocate and voice for beauty and wellness professionals everywhere. Elizabeth is a retired hairstylist, salon owner and beauty school teacher, turned life coach, healer and speaker. She is known for her world class healing retreats, her masterminds and online courses, her breath work method, her viral TEDX talk and her award winning documentary on Amazon Prime "Hairstylists Change the World." She is the founder and creator of The Vitality Project, the beauty industry's first workplace wellness program that plugs directly into schools, salons and spas worldwide.