6 Ways Self-Love Will Help You Crush Your Goals
From breaking free of external validation to creating joy-based goals, discover a more sustainable and fulfilling path to success.
Nail Down Habits to Beat Work-Related Stress
Though it’s no laughing matter, when you are ready to pull your hair out and run screaming from the salon, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Take this quick quiz to find new ways to deal with day-to-day stressors in the salon.
February 28, 2013
3 min to read
1. Which are signs of excessive workplace stress?
A. Irritability, stomach problems, problems sleeping, fatigue
B. Alcohol and/or drug abuse, social isolation, headaches
C. All of the above
D. None of the above
2. The salon industry and the focus on pampering others can increase the stress technicians feel because of …
A. The expectation to be constantly “on.”
B. The expectation of staying on time.
C. The difficulty of keeping your private life private.
D. All of the above and one hundred more.
3. An example of a stress hormone is …
A. Bifarcus Stressalarus
B. Cortisol
C. Norwalk
D. None of the above
4. Ongoing work stress may cause ulcers and/or hypertension.
A. True
B. False
5. Exercise can reduce stress, improve health, and lift moods. For a quick pick-me-up …
A. Take a walk during a break.
B. Only exercise if you have at least an hour.
C. Exercise? I’m too tired to exercise.
D. Call in sick and exercise the remote from the couch.
6. While the release of stress hormones is perceived as a negative occurrence, it can also be an asset in times of real danger.
A. True
B. False
7. Y-A-W-N — that can’t-keep-your-eyes-open feeling after tossing and turning all night. When stress creeps into the space where sweet dreams should be …
A. Try keeping a regular bedtime schedule.
B. Shrug off the extra alcohol. It can interfere with your Zzzzzzzs.
C. Turn off your electronic leashes before bed.
D. Practice the above and learn new techniques for sound sleep until mastered.
8. What is the one component of a career you have control over?
A. You
B. Your coworkers
C. Your hours
D. Your commute
9. Reduce scheduling stresses by keeping products stocked and clean the day before, scheduling clients with adequate time, learning to converse without always making eye contact, and …
A. Turning away clients when they are 10 minutes late. After all, they got a reminder call.
B. Adjusting service to meet available time if the client is running late according to your service policy.
C. Rearranging the rest of the day to accommodate a late arrival.
D. Firing the client for the slightest infraction.
10. Perfectionism may lead to more job stress if not managed.
A. True. Everyone needs to cut themselves some slack now and then.
B. False. Perfection is attainable if you just work harder.
11. Some worthwhile ways to decompress and relieve job related stress are …
A. Learn to laugh. Visit a comedy club. Learn a joke. Smile.
B. Slip away to use the restroom. Meditate for a minute and then wash your hands and the negative energy down the drain.
C. Spend time with friends. Get out of the house. Do something fun.
D. All of the above. While you are at it, plan at least one vacation from work each year.
12. Skipping the morning paper a few days a week or only reading the more upbeat sections before work might smooth out your day.
A. True
B. False
Answer Key
It’s true. As beauty professionals, you make the world a better place. It’s no easy task though. All that pampering can come with a steep cost to your health and happiness. Take care of you so you can take care of others — not, the other way around.
1. C 2. D 3. B 4. A 5. A 6. A 7. D 8. A 9. B 10. A 11. D 12. A
0-5 correct = You may be carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. It’s OK to share the burden. Step back and evaluate the situation before that blood pressure creeps any higher.
6-8 correct = You are on the way to a happy and fulfilling work life. Now that you can recognize stress triggers, it’s time to proactively plan a response for troubling situations.
9-12 correct = You are a stress-busting ninja. Care to share some of your moves with us?
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
More Wellness
The Invisible Hazard in Every Nail Salon and How to Fight It
From acrylic monomers to airborne bio-dust, the air inside a nail salon carries risks most professionals never see coming. Aerovex Systems reveals the source-capture and room-purification strategies that are setting a new standard for salon safety.
Sponsored by Aerovex Systems
Nail Safety Council Warns Holiday Shoppers About Toxic 'Magic' Gel Polish Removers
Products marketed as 'magic' or 'burst' gel removers may contain methylene chloride, a federally banned, highly toxic chemical.
How Beauty Pros Can Prevent Pain: Somatic Movement for Career Longevity
Working in beauty doesn’t have to hurt. Learn how Somatic Movement helps hairstylists, lash artists, and other beauty pros release tension, improve posture, and extend their careers.
Spa Day, Safe Day: Stop Fungal Infections in Their Tracks
As a spa or salon professional, your clients expect more than just beauty—they expect safety, hygiene, and peace of mind. Fungal infections like Athlete’s Foot and Nail Fungus are more common than you think, especially in environments where tools and footbaths are reused without proper sanitation. This blog covers how to stop these issues before they start, using proven infection prevention strategies for salons and spas.
Federal Research on Nail Salon Safety Concludes Due to Budget Reductions
A federal initiative aimed at studying chemical exposure in nail salons has ended due to staffing and budget changes. Here’s what the project set out to do—and what its conclusion means for salon professionals.
by Anne Moratto
Opinion: What You Need to Know About Pedicure Safety
For many people, a pedicure is a relaxing beauty ritual. But what most don’t realize is that this simple service, if done without proper hygiene and sanitation, can cause serious infections and long-term health issues.
Onycholysis: What Nail Pros Should Know About Nail Separation
Onycholysis is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. While it may look painful, it typically isn’t—at least not at first. But without proper care, this common nail disorder can lead to infections, deformities, and long-term damage.
What to Say--or Not Say--to Someone Grieving
Mckenzie Kool, Psychologist, MC, RPsych provides us with guidance on what may or not be helpful in speaking with someone who has suffered a significant loss.
Protecting Your Clients From Viral Infections
Clients come to you to feel their best—not leave with a viral souvenir. Warts and cold sores can spread fast in busy salons, but a few smart habits make all the difference. Let’s talk about what’s really lurking in your salon (and how to kick it to the curb).
Beauty Professionals, It's Time to Take the Green Pledge
As Earth Day approaches, The Green Beauty Community Foundation and the Green Spa Network invite beauty pros to step forward and embrace sustainability through the Green Pledge--a powerful initiative designed by and for beauty industry leaders.
How Not to Be Cynical About Valentine's Day
Don’t cancel Valentine’s Day altogether, urges Jill Palmquist. Instead, think of it as a (frilly, flowery, Champagne-bubbly) wake-up call to fall deeply in love with your own life.
Temporary Burnout or Time to Hang Up the Shears?
Life coach and Culture Ambassador of Sam Villa, Andrew Carruthers, outlines how to tell if your burnout is temporary - or if it's time to make a bigger career change.
Nail Care and Cancer Treatment: 6 Tips for a Safe Nail Service
Cancer treatment can create very specific challenges for your guest when it comes to hair, skin, and also nails. Here are some tips for working with your salon client who is going through cancer treatment to help you provide a relaxing, enjoyable, and also safe experience.
Sun Patch Protects Hands from Sun Damage
For those clients concerned about exposure from UV lamps, the Sun Patch might be a solution. Sun Patches are waterproof, reusable (up to 10 wears) block 98% of UVA/UVB rays, and maintain their UPF 50+ rating all day long.
by Anne Moratto
The Nail Doctor: Onycholysis, or Nail Separation, Has Different Varieties
One of the most common conditions that affects the nail is onycholysis, which is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. Onycholysis occurs as a result of or along with a great variety of nail traumas and disorders. Probably the most common cause of onycholysis is a fungal infection of the nail.
Standing Stretches for Physical Longevity
Hairdressing is a physically taxing career integrating simple stretches into your daily routine can reduce the strain repetitive motion puts on your body, help you stay flexible and strong and eventually prolong your career.