An esthetician is in the business of giving, and the very essence of their role is a commitment and dedication to helping clients achieve healthy, radiant skin. All too often, so many estheticians devote themselves completely, pouring their energy, compassion and resources into education and developing the skills necessary to elevate the level of expertise, but at the same time neglecting themselves. The physical demands and the emotional safe-space vessel estheticians create for clients to have a fully immersive, wholistically renewing experience, can take a toll on their bodies and minds. A burnt-out esthetician, ironically, is almost like a shoe repairman without shoes. It is someone enhancing the wellness of others while depriving themselves of the same care. The act of giving must be in equilibrium; what we give to others needs to be balanced by the self-care and renewal practices we implement ourselves. Holistic self-care is essential, and not just for personal well-being, but to maintain a fulfilling and sustainable long-term successful career in esthetics.
There are various holistic methods to ensure that an esthetician’s own tank is consistently refueled and that the practitioner is not operating from a half-empty tank or always on the brink of burn-out. An ideal approach to assure optimal wellness and performance is through practices that address the mind, body and soul, geared to help rebalance and support overall well-being. It should encompass addressing the physical, energetic and emotional aspects of renewing the total self. It is no phenomenon that when the giver, the esthetician, is operating from a state of abundance and joy, the quality and performance of any provided service will accordingly be better. As a result, this will help spread positive word-of-mouth and ultimately lead to better client retention and acquisition. A happy esthetician means satisfied and fulfilled clients, which only leads to business growth.
Why It Matters
In a robust but also competitive industry, the key to thriving is connection, compassion and quality. Estheticians are often confronted with various work-related stressors, including repetitive hand and arm motions, prolonged hours of sitting in the same position or standing and at times, perhaps most significantly, the deep and personal emotional communications exchanged with clients. Collectively, these factors can lead to physical, mental and emotional strain, fatigue and burnout without consistent self-care and self-love. It is a non-negotiable for staying healthy.
Ongoing stress can be the culmination of straws that broke the camel’s back in the demise of an esthetician’s wellness if left unchecked. It can cause a lack of motivation, a dwindling sense of joy or passion for the work and spiraling-out exhaustion. A state of burnout cannot be sustained for long. One of the biggest risks regarding physical strain and discomfort is the potential of pain. Poor posture and alignment combined with not stretching enough or even the absence of it can lead to chronic pain, particularly in the lower back, hands and shoulders. Another risk is fatigue. Having a safe space for clients to “let go” of their emotional baggage certainly helps with developing client loyalty, but there must be proper boundaries in place to guard against compassion fatigue. Immersing in regular holistic self-care practices is a solution.
Self-care For the Mind, Body and Soul
There are various techniques for positive mental and emotional nourishment, with gratitude practices being among the most impactful. Meditation, prayer and journaling can be the most mindful and effective self-care strategies for some. They help to stay present, get perspective and regulate stress. It is vital for estheticians to stay grounded throughout the emotional labor of what some may even consider as informal therapy for clients. Listening to the personal stories, connecting and empathizing with the energy of clients can be overwhelming.
Routine breathwork and meditation, even in bite-sizes, can help regulate the stress hormone, cortisol, which can lower inflammation in the body, elevate mood and support mental clarity. Ultimately, this facilitates a stronger, more resilient immune system. Visualizing is another tool. It may take some mental experimenting and reps to build this muscle, but it is a way to set energetic boundaries to safeguard against emotional over-exertion. Before seeing clients, imagine a color as an example and visualize it to be a barrier or shield that allows only positive interactions to influence your energy and mood. Having a mantra or affirmations to repeat to yourself between clients, like “I am a source of positive energy and comfort for my clients, but their emotions are purely theirs and not mine,” is another way to foster emotional balance.
Writing is another powerful self-care practice to reflect on burdensome thoughts or feelings after a long day’s work. It is an opportunity to process and release anything pent up. Taking five to ten minutes in the morning to set intentions and express gratitude can set a positive tone for the day. Journaling at the end of the day is beneficial to raise self-awareness and as a way to release tension by way of writing it out.
Foundational to practicing esthetics, an esthetician’s body is the ultimate temple from which the readiness, willingness and ability to work is drawn. To be an esthetician who can practice at the highest level, the physical well-being must be at peak state. Physiology and nutrition are equally important as part of a well-rounded holistic approach to wellness. Methods of care that prioritize both the inside and outside should be embraced.
Eating with intention, for example, nurtures the body from within. Maintaining a balanced diet full of nutrients is essential to feeling good. Not only is it critical for physical wellness, but it is also a catalyst to enhance skin health and appearance. Let’s not forget that an esthetician’s skin is their personal walking billboard. Staying sufficiently hydrated and intuitively nourishing the body, paves the way to looking and feeling healthy and energized. Foods that are high in vitamins, essential fatty acids like omega 3 and 6, minerals and micro-nutrients have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. They help naturally counter oxidative stress, support immunity and help fuel the body. Foods like blueberries, arugula, almonds, salmon, pasture-raised eggs and avocados, to mention a few, are some of the most nutritious, power-packed daily food choices to consider.
Physiology awareness and implementation are part of the holistic self-care journey, and much of it is in the details. Having a lumbar supportive stool or positioning the treatment bed at an appropriate height are some important factors that can prevent poor posture, which can lead to back pain. According to the American Chiropractic Association, it is important to pay attention to posture and regularly change positions, especially when performing treatments, to help prevent strain. Additionally, doing gentle stretches and simple exercises throughout the day will help prevent stiffness and promote circulation. This will boost the flow of nutrients and oxygen to all of the cells throughout the body. Some effective and easy-to-do exercise examples include side neck bends, arm-over-the-shoulder stretches and wrist rotations to address, especially those areas where estheticians tend to store the most tension. Outside of the treatment room, having a more formal yoga or Pilates routine session can offer more substantial results. Unconventional holistic self-care therapies like grounding techniques, sound therapy or even nature bathing can help estheticians maintain a sense of mental balance. Spending some tech-free time in nature or walking barefoot can help restore a sense of tranquility.
Final Thoughts
Self-care does not have to be overly complicated or time-consuming. Ideally for habits to be sustainable and feel natural, it is best to link them to other things that are already being done. In the words of James Clear from his book, Atomic Habits, “One of the best ways to build a new habit is to identify a current habit you already do each day, and then stack your new behavior on top.” Holistic self-care is non-negotiable for estheticians to stay healthy and balanced. There must be intentional habits that are routinely set in motion to support optimal wellness and a long-term, thriving and gratifying career.
References:
1. American Chiropractic Association. (n.d.). Maintaining Good Posture.
https://www.acatoday.org/patients/posture/
2. Clear, J. (2018). Atomic Habits: An easy & proven way to build good habits & break bad ones (p. 97). Avery.
