10 ways to practice self-care

1 Take regular breaks

Schedule breaks during your working day to recharge; whether five minutes between clients or a full lunch break to refuel and take a walk. Moments of self-care in between the bustle of a busy working day allow you to relax mentally and physically, and give you time to prepare for your next appointment.

“We often feel pressure to offer more appointments to suit clients, especially around summer or the festive season, so it can be tempting to schedule clients back-to-back to accommodate,” says Dr Ravi Gill. “Taking regular breaks allows you to rest, recharge and maintain focus in your appointments, and can help manage the emotional toll of clients offloading.”

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2 Establish a work-life balance and stick to it

It’s vital to set and maintain clear boundaries between your work and personal lives to avoid stress and burnout. Keeping a balance will allow you to schedule downtime, and helps to ensure your love for nails doesn’t wear thin due to overstretching yourself.

“Striking a balance between your work and personal lives can be difficult, especially for those with family responsibilities or techs working in salons with extended hours,” shares Natasha Katoro. “Set clear boundaries with clients to manage expectations and prevent over-commitment. Learn to say no and set limits to protect your time and energy. Make time outside of work to relax.”

“Establish a clear work-life balance by maintaining strict working hours and limiting work-related communication to working days,” suggests Dr Ravi Gill. “This is difficult, as we are online 24/7, but scheduling regular downtime away from work enables a mental break.”

3 Consider your work environment

Not only does designing your setup stimulate creativity by allowing you to work in a space that’s unique and inspiring to you, but it can help reduce physical strain from appointments. Investing in comfortable and ergonomic tools and furniture is a great way to alleviate issues caused by tekking, reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries and keeping you comfortable during long appointments.

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Amy Ling Lin, founder of wellness-based Sundays Studio, New York, sought to find ways to support staff wellbeing beyond décor, and has labelled nail products by number instead of colour to do this. “It has been my aim to promote a supportive and stress-free work environment to enhance the self-care of my nail specialists,” she describes. “I witnessed a client threaten to slap a nail specialist who couldn’t find a specific shade, as the technician couldn’t speak English. This stuck with me, so it was important for me to find ways to prevent staff from facing criticism if they don’t speak English. I’m very proud of working with immigrants at Sundays Studio, being an immigrant myself.

“We train our specialists to work as a team and have a full support system in place for busier times, such as weekends. All staff members wear name tags and are introduced by name to clients. During appointments, clients and nail specialists are seated at the same level to eliminate any hierarchy of staff being below the client. I want to make the nail salon feel welcoming and, in turn, a better place for nail specialists to work.”

TOP TIPS

Dr Joanna Lowry-Corry, chiropractor & director at London Wellness Centre, shares ways to ease the impact of sitting at your nail desk regularly:

• Stand up or walk the client around your retail area during the consultation process.

• Vary the type of treatments you offer, or alternate with other staff members so that you are doing a combination of manicures and pedicures each day: not just pedicures, for example.

Dr Joanna Lowry-Corry

• Take a short break after each treatment and move, sit or stand in positions reverse to what you do throughout the treatment.

• Get up and stretch regularly to extend your spine. Work on quads and glutes, and bend to the side and rotate your body.

bend to the side and rotate your body.

• Put your client at a higher level where possible, such as on a raised pedicure platform or adjustable chair, to prevent you from crouching for each appointment.

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4 Keep informed

Staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends, techniques and training helps to nurture a sense of confidence in your work, and can spark creativity. Remember to renew your Scratch subscription and invest in regular training (both in business and nail techniques) to keep your skills at the top of their game.

“Training helps to grow your skills, and increases your job satisfaction and belief in your work,” says Natasha Katoro. “It’s also important to keep informed about best practices for mental health to utilise effective coping strategies.”

5 Prioritise your mental health

The fast-paced nature of the nail world, from honouring appointments and answering client questions to running a business and posting on social media, can mean that mental health matters fall to the bottom of your priority list. “Although we’re grateful for clients, interacting with them all day can be emotionally draining, especially when encountering demanding or dissatisfied customers,” Natasha Katoro explains. “Managing these relationships requires continuous patience and the ability to be intentional with communication skills.

“Mental health issues can lead to decreased concentration and a drop in your quality of work, affecting reputation and client satisfaction. If work suffers due to mental health issues, it could lead to reduced earnings, which can create a cycle of stress and financial pressure. If feeling overwhelmed, consider speaking with a mental health professional for guidance and support.”

Natasha suggests engaging regularly in activities that promote relaxation and enjoyment, such as exercise, hobbies or meditation, and setting clear boundaries with clients to manage expectations and prevent over-commitment. She recommends the following mental health resources: BetterHelp (for online therapy) and Talkspace (for therapy with licenced professionals).

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Natasha is creating a sanctuary where wellbeing and beauty converge, so that every client leaves feeling refreshed and empowered. She is laying the groundwork for this through her Instagram business page, where she advocates daily self-care and shares tips and affirmations with followers.

6 Make time for regular exercise & mindfulness

Physical activity and mindful practices are two key elements of a good self-care routine. Schedule regular exercise and stretch throughout the week, and take time out to help recentre yourself with breathing exercises, guided meditations or a moment of quiet.

“Incorporate mindfulness or other stress reduction techniques into your daily routine to maintain a calm and clear mind, and make time for physical activity to boost your mood and health,” recommends Natasha Katoro. “Use apps like Headspace for guided meditation sessions to help calm the mind between appointments, and follow online stretching routines, specifically for hands and wrists, to reduce strain from detailed work.”

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Amy Ling Lin adds: “We believe that self-care and wellness go hand in hand, so incorporate mindfulness into nailcare at Sundays Studio by offering meditative manicures, to encourage clients to slow down and be present. During this service, clients can listen to their preference of guided affirmations or binaural beats. We also offer love letter writing to yourself, affirmation cards and have a mindful tea bar to help clients relax.”

7 Focus on nutrional needs

A balanced diet with nutritional foods and plenty of water will support a healthy body and mind, aiding focus and preventing fatigue. It can be a challenge to remember to drink enough water, and when time is tight it can be tempting to swap a meal for a snack, but a well-nourished body is fundamental to self-care.

“Set reminders on your phone to take water breaks throughout the day to stay hydrated,” Natasha Katoro advises. “Focus on maintaining a balanced diet that is rich in nutrients, and drink plenty of water.”

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8 Network with industry pros

Building connections with other nail technicians allows you to bond with people with similar interests, creating a network of support and sense of community. It’s a great form of self-care, giving you endless encouragement and inspiration from a friendly face when you need it.

Following training with The GelBottle Inc, Natasha Katoro began an initiative to prevent feelings of isolation that can present in the industry, particularly for home salon or mobile workers. “Despite the social nature of the job, working independently or in a non-team-oriented environment with limited social time outside of work can create feelings of isolation,” she explains. “Building a strong community in the salon or outside of the workplace can help alleviate this, with regular meet-ups, social gatherings and industry events helping to foster a sense of belonging and provide a much-needed break from work.

“Having someone who understands the unique stresses of a nail tech’s role can be invaluable. Peers can provide a listening ear, share their experiences and coping strategies, and provide emotional support,” she continues. “Discussions about work challenges, client interactions or even personal struggles can help reduce stress and feelings of isolation.”

“If you’re struggling with feelings of loneliness, speak to colleagues around you or others in the industry,” recommends Dr Ravi Gill. “Sharing with others helps to build community, creating a sense of camaraderie that can reduce feelings of stress and isolation.”

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9 Take technology breaks

The 24/7 nature of social media can make it feel difficult to take a break. However, it’s vital to learn to step away and consciously unplug from the online world, to make time for self-care truly away from work.

“Take breaks from your digital devices to help reduce stress and improve sleep,” Natasha Katoro explains. “I’d recommend choosing a day to disconnect from devices to give your mind a break from the constant stimulation. To support a digital detox, I recommend two apps: Freedom (to block distracting sites and apps), and Offtime (to schedule device downtime).”

10 Take a holiday

Having a constant flow of clients to tend to can make it feel impossible to schedule time for a holiday, but taking a longer break to rejuvenate and recharge is necessary for maintaining great self-care.

“When was the last time you scheduled real time out for yourself?” asks Dr Ravi Gill. “When you’re working with back-to-back clients, it can be both physically and mentally draining, so it’s important to block out time to do nothing. Downtime is so important to maintain positive mental and physical health, and allows you to be the best version of yourself. It’s important to take time out and reflect on your days and weeks, and and make moments to engage in activities that provide a sense of balance and make you feel like you.”

“While building my nail business, I constantly remind myself that self-care is important,” shares Amy Ling Lin. “My philosophy is to be gentle with yourself.”