The USA site Behindthechair.com recently published a very helpful article on mental health techniques to help hairdressers who are living with constant stress and uncertainty, as well as suffering the financial impacts of not working.
Here are some helpful techniques that you can use to cope during these difficult times, and help adjust your mindset and thinking so that you are in a better, more positive and more constructive head space. Thank you to Behindthechair.com for publishing these very valuable coping strategies.
Watch the VIDEO for helpful insight, tools and strategies!
1. Recognize your current reality.
Three things people fear the most:
Being isolated.
Being out of control.
Looking at an unpredictable future.
Right now we are facing all of these fears—some days are filled with hope and optimism, and others with fear and uncertainty. “There has never been a more trying time and a more beautiful opportunity for us to reconnect to who we are becoming as humanity,” shares Miles.
Remember this: This stress is a normal response, says Miles. We don’t heal what we don’t feel.
2. Value yourself as a person, not just your profession.
“We sacrifice a lot for the sake of our self esteem,” shares Mary. “So much of our self worth is built into our work—built into giving, helping and taking care of other people, and you can’t do that right now.”
“We are human beings, not humans doing,” adds Miles.
Ask yourself, am I really okay? “True artists are empaths, who have a way of opening up the door for people to offer their pain,” shares Miles. “You’re not trained to know what to do with that pain.”
“You now have moments where you are quiet, and this can be scary, but these are moments where you can take stock of who you are and ask these bigger questions,” adds Mary. “If you realize you aren’t okay, you can acknowledge that.”
3. Reconnect with yourself.
Connection is the ability to be seen, heard and valued. You already do this every day for the people who sit in your chair—try it for yourself with this excercise.
You have the opportunity to own your reality. Grab a journal and take inventory with a self assessment.
See what you’re willing to own about your reality without any shame.
Find one safe person to share it with who will not try to advise you, but sit with you and connect.
Remember: “Don’t forget that you’re allowed to not be okay,” shares Mary. “When you can say you’re not okay, your vulnerability gives you humanity and allows to develop closer relationships with people.”
