As busy people, we often get caught up in looking after all our clients and forget to think about ourselves. To continue giving a high-quality service, we have to remember to recharge and look after ourselves in order to bring our A-game to our clients. That’s why Ellisons have put together a little list of helpful tips that will help you feel more relaxed and refreshed and ready to seize each day.
Healthy body, healthy mind
Exercise is actually a form of self-care. It increases endorphins in the body, improving mood and positivity. Exercise also strengthens the immune system and increases energy, which is very important to beauty pros who are constantly interacting with others and spending hours on their feet. Devote at least 30 minutes a day to doing some type of physical activity that increases your heart rate.
Say ‘thank you’
Thinking about positives in our lives and feeling gratitude is a sure-fire way to feel good and relieve stress. Reflecting upon the things you’re thankful for increases happiness, lifts emotions, improves quality of sleep and strengthens the immune system. Each morning, while you’re brushing your teeth, think of five to ten things you’re grateful for. Before going to sleep, write down things you experienced during the day that you’re thankful for.
Go nuts
Incorporating nuts into your diet, like walnuts, cashews and others, can serve as stress relievers and it's an easy addition to your daily self-care regime. Nuts are high in magnesium, Vitamin B6, fibre and healthy fats, all of which support wellness. Eat a handful of nuts daily and you’ll decrease the negative effects of stress on the body and you’ll increase serotonin levels, and lacking this hormone can cause you to feel down, moody or tired.
Practice mindfulness
Meditation practice doesn't need to be a long, drawn-out activity that requires loads of concentration or effort. Spend 10 to 15 minutes a day listening to sounds of nature, praying or reciting positive quotes or phrases. Do this in the morning, at night before bed or any other time you can incorporate the practice into your schedule. The point is to have 10 to 15 minutes of a calm, quiet break, without distractions. As your practice develops, you will notice an increase in calmness and control over your thoughts. You will also feel more grounded, secure and comfortable in your body.
Unplug
We are constantly ‘available’ and connected through technology and unplugging has never been more important. Take a break from your phone (this includes from social media too) for a set amount of time each day. This break will help increase your confidence, decrease feelings of ‘missing out’ and boost comfort in your own mind. Studies show that constant scrolling and being plugged in can harm relationships, foster feelings of jealousy and kill interpersonal skills. Most importantly, unplugging at least one hour before bed is a critical self-care technique. The light emitted by phone and computer screens messes with our day-to-day rhythm and can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep.
These 5 pieces of advice are designed to help you recognise your own state of mind and empower you to take up healthy habits to start putting yourself first. Pouring from an empty cup is impossible, remember that self-care is not selfish. Being super busy can sometimes make it difficult, but we have to try and include self-care in our daily routines to stay happy, healthy and more productive at work.
