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Burnout is so much more than just feeling tired—it’s a place of physical or mental (and often both) collapse where the very idea of work starts to feel impossible. And it’s not cured by one long, luxurious bath.
For stylists, long hours, lots of emotional labor, and back-to-back appointments are built into the job, which can make burnout more likely if you’re not careful. Suddenly, the salon that used to bring you so much joy becomes a source of stress. You struggle to find joy in hair artistry and feel unmotivated to show up for clients in the way you want.
The best way to handle burnout? Prevent it from happening in the first place. But how? Commit to slowing down and finding ways to take better care of yourself on the regular.
K18’s Director of Education Development, Amber Thorne, breaks down how to build rest and self-care into your work days to stay inspired and healthy—even during the busiest of seasons.
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make a plan
Look ahead to your week whenever possible and schedule breaks, lunch, and your most labor-intensive appointments strategically.
As you build out your offerings, you can also incorporate mindful moments during the service like a decadent scalp massage or aromatherapy. “Create pillar moments to pamper your clients and then you can feel good about taking breaks in other moments,” says Thorne.
build in breaks
This one might seem obvious, but it’s often overlooked. Prioritize building breaks into your work day, and make sure you’re giving yourself a moment to go outside and breathe fresh air.
On extra busy days, take advantage of natural breaks during processing. Even if all you have is 4 minutes, take some time for yourself: deep breaths, check in with your body, have a sip of water.
be communicative
No matter how well we’ve planned our days, unexpected things will come up. Don’t be shy about verbalizing if you need to step away for a moment—after all, clients are people too. If you need to excuse yourself in the middle of a service, you can just say so.
“Being upfront and vulnerable with your clients is okay,” says Thorne. “Give yourself permission to share why you need to step away for a moment.”
This does not reflect badly on you as a professional, it just means you are human!
focus on nutrition
We can’t function well without fuel. Thorne recommends taking time at the beginning of the week or day to prepare your food ahead of time. Opt for healthy snacks and quick meals that are easy to eat. Think: trail mix, sandwiches, fresh fruit, cheese sticks.
Also, while slamming cold brews might seem like the best way to keep your energy up, experiment with some caffeine alternatives, like green tea, to avoid the crashes that create that 3 p.m. slump.
lean on outside resources
Your community is an invaluable resource. “Talk with other stylists,” says Thorne. Get advice and give advice. Vent to one another and see how universal so many of our challenges are—you’ll instantly feed lighter.
Pick up a journal to work through your feelings, to get your hard days down on paper (it often stops the cycle of rumination in its tracks).
Try out some mindfulness apps like Calm and Headspace. Even a few minutes of meditation a day can make a difference to your mental health.
Ultimately, all these tips are for you—take what resonates and leave what doesn’t. However, one thing that Thorne truly recommends is to make time to pamper yourself, too.
“Get your own hair done!” says Thorne. “Get the full experience, and not for market research, just to feel good. You deserve it.”
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