At this time of year, it’s easy to overdo it. And we’re not just talking about the work Christmas party. Longer salon hours to meet your clients’ festive needs mixed with the added stress of dodging manic Christmas shoppers when you’re just trying to take some downtime on your lunch hour can eventually take its toll.
But Matrix Artist Ambassador Ria Kulik wants you to recognise when your mental and physical health is about to take a battering, because the burnt-out version of you isn’t you at your best, and it can affect your team’s morale too.
Ria knows the signs; “When you start clock watching to see how long it is until your next sleep, then sleeping but waking up just as exhausted, feeling like you have lost touch with friends and family, like you are on a relentless hamster wheel, wondering when you will enjoy your job again…” Sound familiar? It’s time to take action. Here are Ria’s steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed:
- Put yourself first. You will then be able to care for your clients better.
- Set professional boundaries. Pick how many hours you are going to work and stick to them and stay away from doing ‘favours’ by coming in early or staying late for people.
- Turn off your phone. Only contact clients during work hours and set a polite, automated message to make clients understand how busy you are and ease the pressure off.
- Enjoy some downtime. Whether it’s seeing friends and family or going to your favourite spa, allow yourself to enjoy life.
- Plan to invest in yourself and your skills. Taking a day away from the grind and educating yourself is a great way of giving yourself a boost and to meet others in the same position.
The moral of the story? You can’t do your best for your clients if you are feeling at your worst. Of course they are important, but your mental health is the priority.
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