To take care of your clients, you first have to take care of yourself. We all know this is easier said than done. Making time for yourself can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. We asked our followers on Instagram how they unwind after a day at the salon.
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To take care of your clients, you first have to take care of yourself. We all know this is easier said than done. Making time for yourself can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. We asked our followers on Instagram how they unwind after a day at the salon.
@ericdanielgarza:
Remember it’s okay to say “no” as it allows for “me time”—no one will make sure you’re taken care of like yourself.
@hairxchristinae:
Hide in the bathtub.
@deb_the_hairygodmother:
I take a day to have a nice shower, take my time with my skin care and just lounge around. No answering clients, just disconnecting from it all.
@rachk.stylist:
I hang out with friends, try to stay away from social media, journal and meditate.
@hillsgrrl_and_willasaurusgsp:
I go hiking.
@hairbylisamathews:
Treat yourself. I get my nails done or schedule a massage—I don’t do this often, but recently started and highly recommend.
@ripleybenz:
I read, exercise and am selective about who I talk to during “me time” so I can protect my peace.
@auparehair:
I do yoga, walk my dog, relax in my hot tub and garden during the summer.
*Posts edited for length and clarity.
@samantha.shearlye:
Each day I get comfy in a quiet, dimly lit room and spend 20 minutes learning Italian, no matter what is going on in my life.
@stefania_ny_hair:
I schedule massages every three weeks, do yoga, play soccer, meditate, get my nails done and go out to dinner. All of these are so important. Always take care of you first!
@hair_almighty:
I work out, do yoga, follow my skin care routine, talk to my plants and listen to @sadhguru.
@moniquehairbydesign:
Travel. When I can’t do that, I book a massage.
@summerevansstudio:
Recharging is one of the most important things to do for yourself. If you are on empty, you are no good to your clients or anyone for that matter! Whether it’s church, yoga, exercise or reading, it’s crucial for your business and yourself to become the best version of you possible.
@tayvonnblu:
I carve out time at the end of my day to meditate. As a business owner, it’s okay for me to tell people I need a break and take one. I’m all about mental, physical and spiritual health. There must be a balance, and it must be intentional.
@sugarspabyalexis:
I make time for the gym in my schedule. I realized that I’m physically and mentally in a better place when I do it—now it’s non-negotiable.
So, you’ve finally found yourself some time for self-care. Now what? Sometimes the best option is switching on a movie and zoning out—other times you need something a bit more intentional. Beauty Launchpad educators, Sean Michael, Drew Inge and Hana Norris share how they unplug, unwind and embrace those quiet moments for themselves.
Beauty Launchpad (BLP): What is your go-to for unwinding after a day at the salon?
Sean Michael (SM): My go-to unwinding ritual after a long day at the salon is to drive home in silence. This thirty minutes of processing and organizing my thoughts and experiences from that day allow me to be present when I go home to my family.
Drew Inge (DI): I meditate for about 15 minutes once I get home. It’s not easy at first, but after time, it helps. Typically, I follow my meditation with a long shower. I then journal about my day and write down any manifestations I want for myself.
Hana Norris (HN): I find that powering off my phone and taking a hot bath with no distractions usually does the trick. This allows me to clear my mind and refocus.
BLP: Do you have any tips for unplugging from your phone and social media?
DI: I usually unplug for an entire day once a week. I don’t use my phone at all; it stays in a drawer. If you are concerned with content creation, you can use an automated app for social media posting.
SM: I avoid spending a lot of time on social media on Sundays. I admit that from time to time I’ll still pick up my phone to view Instagram—I just give myself a few minutes.
If you treat social media like a job (which you should), then it shouldn’t take over your life. One trick is to batch out your posts for the week and save them in your drafts. Then go on every day and select which one you want to post. This gives you a little more time away from social media throughout the week, making it less overwhelming.
HN: Set consistent times to connect with your social media contacts. If you are feeling overwhelmed, turn off your notifications until you are ready to address them.
BLP: Why do you think self-care is something that should be prioritized?
DI: Hairstylists spend so much of their time prioritizing and pampering other people, we often neglect ourselves in return. To show up as our best selves, we must be our best selves. That includes taking care of yourself mentally and physically, however that exists for you.
HN: How can we be on top of our game if we are not taking our own needs into consideration? Often, we confuse self-care with being selfish; however, taking care of your physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being contributes to long-term success. In our industry we unselfishly focus so much on others’ needs and expectations, we tend to lose focus of our own. Remember to take a breath, focus on yourself outside of work and give yourself the love you deserve.
SM: I feel like we should no longer be asking if self-care should be a priority or not. After the last few years of lockdowns, restrictions and cancellations, we deserve to give ourselves a day off each week, a few hours off during the day, a weekend off, whatever makes sense to you and your life. If your cup isn’t overflowing, how can you pour it into others?
