Beauty professionals, the struggle is real when we speak of "burn out"!
Recognizing that you are burned out can be a challenge, so here are a few tips to help you navigate the stress. If you are experiencing headaches, back strain, wrist or arm strain and lastly eye strain, you may be burned out. Burn out can present itself in both the physical and emotional form.
Let’s look at a few strategies you can do to help lessen the effects of working in a highly technical and challenging industry.
1. Attitude
It’s easy for us to absorb the attitudes of our coworkers and clients. You may start your day happy, upbeat and confident, however if you are surrounded by people who literally zap your energy, you can become involved in absorbing their negativity. So, check your environment. Be determined to be the sunshine in your workplace instead of the storm cloud. Remember to ground yourself before you enter your place of work. Get centered, keep calm and remember to be confident in yourself.
2. Clients' Drama
As hard as we try to create a professional environment, our clients may feel that they are comfortable enough to bare their souls to us. I never want a client to feel they can’t release things that bother them, but it can be challenging to not cross the line of too much personal information. Keeping the conversation in the comfort zone isn’t always easy. As service providers, we need to know when we are getting close to crossing a line of professionalism. When my client is getting too personal, I quickly change the subject. Sometimes a silly joke, or a new dish I recently tried, changes the whole atmosphere.
3. Working Too Hard
Taking on too many clients and working long hours can cause the body stress. If you're not taking care of yourself, back and neck strain can knock you out of the game. Headaches and eye strain can wreak havoc on your business. Make sure your bed or table is at the correct height. You may need an adjustable stool to get every client at the correct height. Great lighting (we love Glamcor) is a must, as well as magnification. If you are struggling with eye strain, get better magnification. There are many choices as well as eye doctor prescribed lenses. Change up how you lash. Move your palette around. Work from a table surface, back of the hand or, my favorite to avoid stress, is working off the forehead. Check out the Glad Lash LashStation for this!
Remember that physical activity can help release tension and build stamina. Yoga, stretching and meditation works for most people. Getting back to nature is my stress release when I’m feeling burned out. Hiking on a nature trail, listening to the birds and the sounds of nature is my happy place. For some amazing insight and exercises to avoid fatigue, check out this post featuring easy 5 minute exercise routines you can do each day.
How do you counteract burn out? Share your strategies in the comments below.
Maryann Matykowski
Maryann has an accomplished, 30+ year background in the beauty industry. As a cosmetologist she opened her first salon in ’83. She has specialized as an educator since 2006. Maryann knows what it takes to create successful salon businesses and is here to share her experience with you.
