Healthy = Happy

Many of us have spent a lot of time away from our salon or workplace during the past couple of months. Now, it’s apparent that things are about to change again as we quickly approach reopening. It’s possible that we could even be entering into a period that will rival our busiest season in terms of hustle and bustle. 

It’s not going to be easy to get caught up with our newly comprehensive cleaning duties, restocking our shelves, and rebooking clients. On top of this, many of us will still have children at home or, perhaps, elderly parents we are caring for. This means we will be mixing this extremely busy time at work with the daily obligations of our families. Situations like this can be highly stressful and it’s easy for our bodies to want to fight back. Here are some simple things I do to ensure that I maintain a positive mindset and a healthy body when I am preparing to work extra hard. 

I begin by my making sure that I have stocked the cupboards with vitamins. I like a multivitamin, and I am particularly fond of vitamin C because it works to keep me healthy. I also make sure to get as much rest as possible. All of these things are important to keep from getting run down and ultimately sick. Remember, a sick you is not good for anyone.  

Drinking a lot of water is another simple but mandatory tip. I know as a beauty and wellness professional it’s easy to get consumed with our day. We focus so much on our clients that we fail to focus on ourselves. Time ticks by and before we know it, the day is gone and we have consumed only one glass of water and maybe a snack if we’re lucky. Many of us get going early in the morning and end up inhaling our lunch at 11:00 a.m. on a two-minute break. Next thing you know, you look up and its 8:00 p.m. By that time, you’re completely dehydrated, tired, and famished!

Planning the night prior to your workday is key to avoid late-night eating and rushing through whatever meals you get. When it comes to good health at work, preparation is everything. Prepare some snacks and meals to take with you the next day. Select some items you can heat up at work and some small healthy snacks you can easily munch on between clients. Even better, make sure to make time in your schedule to eat. Fill your water bottle and put it in the refrigerator so you can easily grab it along with your snacks in the morning. Make things accessible! If you are a suite renter or have a private salon, try to keep a small refrigerator in your suite. 

As mentioned above, equally important is giving yourself a 30-minute to one-hour break sometime during your workday. This allows you to sit down, eat, and regroup. It also gives you a little bit of time to make any important business calls you need to make, check on your family, and attend to personal items. Trust me, this will pay off when 5:00 p.m. rolls around and you still need to have some energy left for the last couple hours of work that remain.

Comfortable shoes are also a must! When I was young, I made shoe selections in the name of fashion. However, as I became seasoned in the industry, I realized that selecting the right shoe is directly related to how well I can get through my day. This also has effects how well I provide service to my clients. If you are set on a certain outfit that requires a specific pair of shoes, I recommend always keeping a very comfortable pair on hand just in case you need to change.  Remember, when your feet hurt, it can feel like your entire body hurts. 

Being busy can be very rewarding if you are ready for it, so get back on the saddle. We’re ready to ride.

Article provided by:

Gina Rivera
Phenix Salon Suites and Gina's Platform