Ways to Battle Burnout as a Beauty Pro

As an independent beauty professional, you know that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your clients. Being your own boss is not for the faint of heart, so we wanted to take a pause for May’s Mental Health Month to discuss ways to battle burnout and prioritize your well-being as a business owner, beauty professional, entrepreneur, and member of the Sola family. 

Tips to prioritize your mental health: 

Take five: One of the best ways to combat burnout is to take a break. Schedule some time in your day to take a mental health break, even if it's just a few minutes to meditate, go for a walk, or stretch. Studies show that taking regular breaks can actually increase productivity and creativity by allowing the brain to recharge. 

Online booking: Managing appointments and scheduling manually is now a relic of the past. By using SolaGenius, the app designed specifically for Sola professionals, you can free up mental space with a 24/7 online booking system. Online booking eliminates the need to constantly manage back-and-forth calls, texts, and emails for appointment booking, cancellation, and rescheduling—what a relief for the monkey mind!  

Plus, did you know that online booking systems can increase revenue by up to 30% and reduce no-shows by up to 70%? That is a win-win-win for you, your business, and your clients. 

Schedule time off: As an entrepreneur, it is easy to fill your schedule to the brim, including holidays and weekends. It is critical to schedule days off to recharge and do something you love.  

Many Sola pros like to schedule me-time with the SolaGenius calendar availability function to block off personal time. When you schedule personal time in advance, nobody can double book you during your much-needed time for yourself.  

This is how you can schedule “me time” on SolaGenius with just a few clicks:  

• Calendar > Sign In at the Upper Right-Hand Corner > Select Block Personal Time 

Inspire your business: If you are feeling stuck or devoid of inspiration in general, we recommend trying a new practice like meditation, breathwork, or vision boarding to keep your mind clear and energized. 

If you are lacking business inspiration, try to learn a new skill or launch a new service to keep your creativity flowing and your clients excited about new offerings. Over time, this type of reinvestment in your education will grow your career exponentially.  

As a Sola professional, you have access to a library of educational tutorials, webinars, and podcast episodes from the beauty industry’s leading experts. To access a wealth of resources, download the Sola Pro app, and go to the Education section. Click on “Videos” and “Tools & Resources” to find hundreds of videos to reinvigorate your business mindset.  

Connect with the Sola network: Remember that you are never alone! There are power in numbers - and you have nearly 20,000 other Sola professionals in your community, and they are all part of the Sola family.  

Reach out to a fellow Solapreneur and invite them to join you for a walk, coffee, or to simply catch up. Connecting with others in the industry can be a great way to find support and inspiration, and to grow your career opportunities over time.  

Health first: It is critical to prioritize a balanced diet to maintain a healthy mind, especially when your services are physically demanding (note: most are!). There are several vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are essential for maintaining mental health. We recommend checking to make sure that your meals and/or supplements are rich in these nutrients.  

Nutrients to support mental health:  

• Vitamin D plays a crucial role in regulating mood and overall well-being, with people deficient in Vitamin D displaying signs of depression and mood disorders; Vitamin D can be ingested or soaked in from the sun (see sunshine recommendation below) 
• Vitamin B12 is important for the production of neurotransmitters that affect mood and cognitive function  
• Omega-3 fatty acids are important for brain function and have been linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety 
• Magnesium is involved in several biochemical reactions in the brain and has been shown to help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, while balancing mood 

Meal prep: We recommend meal prepping for the week to ensure that you always have healthy food options ready, even on your busiest days. On-the-go meals are perfect for a busy beauty pro who might otherwise skip a meal or order something less nutritious. When meal prepping, focus on incorporating nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to support your optimal mental health.  

Stay hydrated: Studies have shown that staying hydrated can have a positive impact on mental health, improving cognitive function while reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.  

To determine your daily water intake needs, follow this equation:  

• Divide your body weight in pounds in half and drink that amount of water in ounces each day 
• For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should aim to drink at least 75 ounces of water daily. 

Exercise: Make sure to fit exercise into your schedule with walking breaks, a lunchtime workout, or a packed bag in your car to seamlessly transition to the gym after work, even when your schedule is packed.  

Regular exercise balances mental health by boosting mood, increasing self-esteem, and reducing the impacts of stress, anxiety, and depression. Exercise also increases the production of endorphins, the brain’s natural happy chemicals.  

Exercise is different for everyone, but most healthcare experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week, or a total of 150 minutes per week, to improve mental health. 

Soak up the sun: Sunlight exposure can increase the production of serotonin in the brain, a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood, sleep, and appetite. In addition, sunlight is essential for the production of vitamin D. So, why not take a few moments to enjoy the sunshine and the warm feelings it can bring?  

It's recommended to aim for at least 15 minutes of daily sun exposure to reap the benefits for your mental health. We recommend taking a break for a walk, morning coffee, lunch, or meditation in the sunshine whenever you can for best results.  

Sleep schedule: Adequate sleep is essential for the mind to restore itself. Studies show that chronic sleep deprivation can have detrimental effects on mental health, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. To maintain mental stability, it's important to aim for 7-10 hours of quality sleep per night.   

Establish a consistent sleep routine by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends, to regulate your circadian rhythm. Try to avoid blue light from electronics for at least an hour before bedtime, as it can interfere with your body's natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder for you to fall asleep and stay asleep at night.  

Practice self-care: Self-care looks different for everyone. It is important to find activities that make you feel the most relaxed and rejuvenated. This could be taking a hot bath, practicing yoga, getting a massage, or simply curling up with a good book. Make time for self-care activities that make you feel good – this pays off in the long run. 

Seek out support: If you're feeling overwhelmed or struggling with burnout, don't be afraid to seek out support. This could be talking to a therapist or psychiatrist, joining a support group, or confiding in a trusted friend or family member. Whatever you do, make sure to only lean on a safe container where you can trust the support system.  

It's important to note that if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, you should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for immediate care.  

Other mental health support hotlines can be found here for immediate assistance:  

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) 
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) 
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) 

Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.  

We want you to know that the Sola Fam is here for you, from your Sola peer network to the Sola home office team. We are all in this together!