It’s time to prioritise mental wellbeing
Anxious and unsettled – the Covid-19 pandemic has caused hairdressers to re-evaluate central approaches and practices in the workplace, and mental wellbeing is now top of the list to avoid burn-out…
Last month, Salon Smart HUB hosted its first Virtual Business Brunch – an open forum with invited hair professionals from across the UK and Ireland to discuss current topics and issues that matter the most to the industry. During the morning, conversations varied from the importance of valuing salon staff, to investing in more environmentally sustainable salon practices. However, the noticeable main point of discussion was surrounding the prioritisation of mental health and wellbeing…
Lockdown after lockdown has undoubtedly impacted the hairdressing industry and while earlier spells were taken in stride, this last wave, with prolonged separation from friends, family and colleagues, along with acute awareness of the challenges that await upon reopening, have left many feeling unsettled, anxious and unmotivated. And now, with Welsh salons open at short notice on 15 March, Scotland due to follow on 5 April and England on the 12 April, whilst Irish salons still await concrete news, it is crucial mental wellbeing is seriously considered and acknowledged by everyone in the community, in order to maintain the successful return of the hairdressing industry as a whole…
Thankfully, there are plenty of things we can do to try and look after our minds and bodies, both at and outside of work. We’ve collated a few simple mental wellbeing tips and resources for hairdressers, that may help manage those everyday struggles and prevent any future signs of ‘burn-out’ once back at work!
TAKE FIVE AND HAVE A READ
Hear from the salon owners on a mission to promote positive mental wellbeing…
Sarai Hair & Beauty – Sarah Morrissey
“Mental health and the welfare of the staff has always been a big focus for us. My manager Lisa is trained in a number of areas including neuro-linguistic programming, cognitive behavioural therapy and an introduction to counselling, this is a real passion for her. She has weekly one-on-ones with the team which we have continued during lockdown as and when individuals need it, many do. This has been so important to us and we have seen a big difference in our team’s mental health as well as their performance. We have in the past had an NLP specialist do a team day which was very successful, helping everyone to understand the different personalities within the team and also their clients; it makes you look at things differently”
The Hair Sanctuary – Naomi Brooks
“Throughout lockdown, I’ve tried to move the focus away from salon talk whenever possible and get the team to focus on gratitude and setting weekly challenges. So, whenever I hold a team Zoom, I always start with ‘what are you grateful for this week’ and ‘one thing you’re looking forward to doing after lockdown’, the latter question I note down the answers to, so that I can create tailored incentives or gift ideas from them. Finally, I end with ‘what’s one thing you’re going to do for yourself before the next Zoom’ – it helps keep their vibes high and it’s something positive/self-care orientated for them to do too. When back at work, I’m also looking at providing a therapy contribution for team members as part of our employment benefits”
Hession Hairdressing – Paul Hession
“Our team’s mental health and wellbeing is so very important, especially this time round with the third lockdown. We have introduced a few things to keep them all connected to us and to each other. We do a Zoom yoga class every week which has gone down very well. We are also doing a steps challenge and the person with the most steps at the end of the weeks gets a prize, it can be anything from a pamper hamper to a health treat box. We are also thinking of doing a bake-off challenge which we might try at a later date”
Maven Hair Studio – Michelle Grimes
“Our whole ethos is freedom and flexibility at the salon, it’s very quiet and relaxed. But, as hairdressers on a whole there’s been no such thing as mental wellbeing over the years. However, now coming back to work, I’m going to ensure we return with a work-life balance, because as hairdressers we never knew what that was. So, it’s a priority now for the salon team to have time to do things they want to do outside of work”
Remember to…
Targeted resources for the hairdressing community…
The Creative HEAD Collective Membership
The past year has impacted the hairdressing industry like no other and resultantly, the ordinary running of salon businesses – everything’s changed, from working hours to team structure and it has undoubtedly taken its toll. Creative HEAD’s Collective, is a new kind of membership club for salon owners – that cares for you, your team and your business. Created in partnership with leading Employee Assistance Programme provider Care first, the membership programme provides everyone in your salon with support and practical advice on issues that might be impacting on wellbeing and performance.The service covers everything from financial and legal matters to childcare, eldercare, emotional and practical everyday support – and much more. For all the details and the link to sign up, head here.
The Not Another Salon Post Covid Wellbeing Pack
Not Another Salon’s Post Covid Wellbeing Pack is an informative and comforting manual on all things anxiety and self-help related. Created by owner Sophia Hilton specifically for the hairdressing community, the topics covered include; facts about anxiety, tips for looking after your wellbeing, planning your return to work amongst much more! To access and download the full pack click here.
Good Salon Guide Mental Health First Aid Training
Since February, Good Salon Guide have been delivering online Mental Health First Aid courses for hairdressers, barbers and beauty therapists across the UK to train staff to become recognised and registered workplace mental health first aiders. With mental health now causing more concern than ever, the course aims to provide affordable mental health support for the industry, who are renowned for playing such a vital role at the heart of local communities. Keep an eye-out for updated course dates and availability on the Good Salon Guide site, which you can find here.
The Lion’s Barber Collective
For further support, we also recommend checking out all the amazing work The Lion’s Barber Collective are doing – and in particular, their multi award winning, endorsed and life-saving training, BarberTalk. BarberTalk has trained over 2000 hair professionals across the UK, providing them with the tools and knowledge on how to spot those suffering with mental health and be the support that person needs. Their idea is not to make hairdressers into counsellors or psychiatrists but to give essential skills to those in order to provide a safe non-judgemental space to share, open up and or offload. And as of 2021, The Collective have now developed a brand new adaption of their proven 4 pillar mental health training model, to create Hair&BeautyTalk. To find out more about The Lion’s Barber Collective and all their courses head to their website.
RELAXING APPS:
- Clementine – Clementine is an app targeted for busy women (but relevant for ALL) which combines self-hypnosis, coaching and powerful mantras to help shut out all the noise and pressure from the world around you, leaving you feeling calmer, more confident, energised and productive. AND the best part is, Clementine are currently gifting hair professionals FREE membership to the hypnotherapy app for a whole year, so you can make your mental health a priority through 2021 and beyond. To redeem the offer you must sign-up by Friday 30 April to qualify for the free year subscription. All you have to do is click here and follow the simple instructions.
- Headspace – Headspace is your guide to mindfulness for your everyday life – everything from managing stress and anxiety to sleep, focus and mind-body health. Including short, 3-minute sessions that fit seamlessly into a busy schedule.
- Calm – Calm is the #1 app for Sleep, Meditation and Relaxation – with guided meditations, Sleep Stories, breathing programs, stretching exercises, and relaxing music.
FEEL-GOOD PODCASTS:
- Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Catterjee – hear stories from leading health experts and exciting personalities who offer easy health life-hacks, expert advice and debunk common health myths giving you the tools to revolutionise how you eat, sleep, move and relax. LISTEN
- Happy Place with Fearne Cotton – Fearne Cotton talks to incredible people about life, love, loss, and everything in-between as she reveals what happiness means to them. LISTEN
- How To Fail with Elizabeth Day – a podcast that celebrates the things that haven’t gone right. Every week, a new interviewee explores what their failures taught them about how to succeed better. LISTEN
EASY-READ BOOKS:
- Fear Less by Dean Sluyter – A lifestyle guide, which focuses on demonstrating how we can use simple meditative techniques to live more and fear less – drawing on enlightenment teachings to help address issues such as anxiety, overthinking, and debilitating fear, to lead to an overall more relaxed, confident life.
- Jog On by Bella Mackie – Sunday Times columnist Bella Mackie’s startlingly forthright account of how she overcame deep-seated mental health problems through the invigorating activity of running.
- Get a Grip, Love by Kate Lucey – Get a Grip, Love busts myths surrounding mental health and offers expert advice on how to change the narrative around depression.
LOOK OUT FOR:
Later this month, we will be sharing a free and on-demand meditation session in partnership with the app Clementine, in order to give our Salon Smart HUB members a chance to practice some ‘zen’ and experience the magic of hypnotherapy amongst the frenzy of the salons re-opening…keep your eyes peeled!
If you are struggling with your mental health, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the below organisations for support:
MIND – 0300 123 3393 – www.mind.org.uk
CALM – 0800 58 58 58 – www.thecalmzone.net
SAMARITANS – 116 123 – www.samaritans.org.uk
