5 Healthy Habits Every Hair Stylist Should Practice

For many people, the New Year is a symbol of positivity and renewal. Everyone wants to be healthier and happier for their New Year’s resolution, but many end up falling back to the same place they were after a few weeks.

The secret: CONSISTENCY. Doing things consistently will help you develop the right habits, and when you do them long enough, these habits will eventually become part of you without even realizing it.

The same thing applies to work. As hair stylists, we use our bodies all day and come across people with different energies. But we come to accept this as “normal” that we tend to forget about our own well-being, eventually wearing us down.

This 2019, start the year right by investing in YOU FIRST. Check out our tips on how to elevate your body and mind through daily habits and rituals.

Healthy Habits Hair Stylists Should Practice

10-Minute Mindful Meditation

A quick 10-minute meditation can make all the difference in your mental health. You can do it before you start your day, in between client appointments or at the end of the day when you want to let go of all the stress and negative energy.

Meditation Step-by-Step

• Get a timer and set it to 10 minutes.
• Find a comfortable, seated position and keep your back straight.
• Relax your shoulders. Then, close your eyes.
• Next, relax your face, bringing your attention to your breath. Let the natural rhythm of your breath flow.
• If you mind begins to wander, slowly bring your attention back to your breath.
• Practice for 10 minutes.

Yoga Poses for Hairdressers

As hairdressers, we put a lot of strains on our hands, shoulders and lower back. In fact, some of the top health issues many hair stylists face​​​​ as they work in the profession are musculoskeletal disorders, such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Upper and Lower Back Pain.

These Yoga Poses will help strengthen your body and prevent ailments.

Wrists

• Begin by making a fist. Then, circle your fists away from you.
• Next, circle your fists towards your chest.
• Do this five times each way for about 30 seconds.

Hands

• Extend the right arm in front of you, with fingertips pointing to the ceiling.
• Grab a hold of those fingertips, then gently press down.
• Do this for five breaths on each hand and repeat as desired.
• Do the same exercise again but with fingertips pointing down towards the floor.
• Repeat as long as you need to.

Shoulders

• Place your hands on your shoulders and make big circles with your elbows. Repeat 10 times.
• Then, go to the opposite direction. Repeat 10 times.
• Next, extend your arms to the opposite sides.
• Bend your elbows, hugging the right arm towards you. Hold for five breaths.
• Repeat the exercise on the other arm. Repeat as needed.
• Finally, take your right arm over your head, dropping it towards the back.
• With your left hand, grab your right hand. You can also use a towel or a strap to hold on to.
• Hold for 10 breaths, then repeat on the other side.

Lower Back

EXERCISE 1

• Go into a seated position. Come to the edge of your seat.
• Place your hand on your lap. Then begin to open up your chest and lengthen your neck.
• Look up as you inhale. As you exhale, round your back, tucking your chin towards the chest.
• Continue to do this flow for 10 breaths with rests in between.

EXERCISE 2

• Next, bring your feet up on the chair. Bend your knees and hug them with your arms.
• Drop the chin towards the chest.
• Hold for about 10 breaths and repeat as needed.

EXERCISE 3

• Finally, drop your upper body down.
• Relax your shoulders and tuck your chin towards the chest.
• Hold for five breaths and slowly rise up.

Stay Hydrated!

As hair stylists, we can’t just survive on hairspray-laced coffee. Drinking the right amount of water will not only help you flush out toxins and maintain healthy skin, but it also greatly improves your brain function and energy levels.

In fact, studies have shown that the brain is strongly influenced by our hydration status. Mild dehydration (1-3% of body weight) can impair many aspects of brain function, including concentration and mood. In young women, for example, fluid loss of 1.36% after exercise causes drastic mood changes as well as increased frequency of headaches.

So how much water should you drink every day?

“Breakup” with Troublesome Clients & Toxic Salon Cultures

Hairdressers deal with people with different personalities all the time, and sometimes this can take a toll on our well-being. It is our belief that every situation can be approached with love and understanding but there are unique instances wherein it’s absolutely necessary to cut ties for the sake of our mental and emotional health.

When setting personal boundaries, the first step is to be mindful of the situation and your emotions. Nothing good arises from reacting emotionally. If anything, it will only cause more tension between you and your client or colleague. See where they are coming from and calmly explain your side. If the person persists with their toxic behavior, then it is best to let go.

This will not only improve your health, but it will also allow more space for more positivity to come into your life.

Aromatherapy: Diffusing Essential Oils

We’ve all heard about the magic of essential oils, but are they really THAT powerful? Tons of research have proven the health benefits of Lavender, Rosemary, Citrus Fruits and Lemongrass. Essential oils are simply concentrated extracts of these plants and more.

When diffused, essential oils instantly elevate the mood at home and the salon. They are also proven natural stress relievers, energy boosters and focus enhancers.

Now that you have these 5 healthy habits, use them to create better, much-improved version of yourself this 2019.

from Simply Organic Beauty http://bit.ly/2CcxJj2