Devoting all your energy to making your spa a success can be truly draining. But, as a spa professional, you understand that self-care is non-negotiable. It’s important to make time to relax and recharge to stay at the top of your game both inside and outside the workplace. Read our self-care tips for simple ways to restore the balance, boost your mood, and take back control of your time and well-being.
Did you know that April is Stress Awareness Month? As a busy spa owner, you know firsthand how hectic things can get. But while you’re pouring your heart and soul into your business to make it grow and maintain regular customers, make sure you’re still enjoying yourself. You don’t want it to become a chore and, while occasional stress is normal and sometimes a good motivator, it’s not healthy to get to the point where work is creeping into your personal life and becoming all you think about day and night.
There are so many ways to bring a little joy back into your day to day—including simple self-care options for all budgets and personal situations, even parents juggling family life and work. You just need to use your imagination. Feeling uninspired? That’s ok too! DaySmart Spa is here to kickstart the process and help you on the road to feeling more like you again.
You see and look after countless people at the spa each day, but there’s nothing like spending time with those who matter most to you to lift your spirits. Connecting with people you care about helps boost your levels of dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin, also known as the feel-good hormones. So, make time to give someone a hug, play with your pets, phone a relative, or hold hands with your partner. These simple actions have been shown to improve how your body works and the way you feel.
Self-Care Tip #2: Get Physical
Don’t worry—we know you’ve been on your feet all day and hitting the gym is probably the last thing you feel like doing. If you enjoy waking up at dawn every day and going for a run, great. But there are less intense ways to feel the benefits of physical activity. We’re talking gentle exercise, like warmups to stretch those tired muscles. But you could also try cycling to the spa or something a bit more out there like a fun Zumba session or a dance class with a friend. If you’re feeling self-conscious, you could always start with an online video to see how it goes.
Self-Care Tip #3: Get Outside
Think about how much time you spend indoors—you’re at the spa, in your car, at home… but when are you just outside? (And no, the store doesn’t count). Don’t wait until summer to feel the sun on your skin or to enjoy nature. Make a point of taking short breaks throughout the day. Go for a walk to clear your mind or, if possible, visit the park to get back to nature, breathe clean air, and just take a minute for you. Maybe this could be a weekend outing for the family? Why not make it a picnic and invite some friends? Whatever you decide, make a conscious effort to break out of the old routine and bring something fresh, positive, and fun into your life.
Self-Care Tip #4: Have a Laugh
Want less stress? It seems laughter really is the best medicine. Science shows that smiling elevates your mood and decreases stress. Best of all, it’s something you can do at the spa too! Share a joke with a colleague or tell a client a funny story to lighten the mood. Finally done for the day? Send a silly meme to a friend, check out a comedy club in your area, or watch your favorite movie or a clip of your favorite comedian on YouTube. Simply put, doing anything that makes you smile can really boost your mood and make you feel happier.
Self-Care Tip #5: Reward Yourself
It doesn’t need to be anything extravagant but, hey, you work hard for your money, and you deserve the occasional treat. You know your budget—so whether you want to go shopping, invest in some new sneakers to cushion those hard-working feet, or even just grab a latte with a syrup you wanted to try, find little ways to reward yourself for all that you do. You’ll feel more motivated, and it will remind you why you’re doing all this hard work in the first place.
Self-Care Tip #6: Improve Your Sleep Hygiene
Not sleeping well has a negative impact on both your body and your mind. It makes you less perceptive, more irritable, and heightens your stress levels. None of this is good for a successful business owner, so if you find yourself in this situation, it’s time to revamp your night-time routine. Take a nice shower or bath and slip into some cozy pajamas. Try to avoid caffeine in the evening and screens for at least an hour before bed—switch that extra episode on Netflix (or, more likely, endless doomscrolling on your phone) for a good book and curl up in bed for the night. You’ll feel fresher the next day and, once you build up a healthy new routine, you’ll notice that your skin looks brighter, you’re more mentally alert, and you’ll just feel more capable of managing whatever comes your way.
Self-Care Tip #7: Fuel Your Body
Running on empty? It’s no wonder—working long hours every day doesn’t leave much time for grocery shopping or cooking. Do you find yourself relying on caffeine and junk food to get you through the day? It’s a quick fix that leaves you sluggish. Besides, your body deserves more than that. It needs nutrients to function properly and keep you at your best so you can cope inside and outside work. Say it with us: No more grabbing food and gulping it down between clients. Get a salad, sit down, chew! Switch that next cup of coffee for some water. Everyone is different, but the general guidelines state that we should aim to drink between 4 to 6 cups per day. Still hungry? Snack on fresh fruits to stay fuller for longer, promote a healthy weight, and stay energized.
These are just some easy-to-implement ideas to help you rediscover your self-confidence. We hope it serves as a powerful reminder to treat yourself with the same TLC you show your clients day in, day out. Here’s to less stress, more feeling like you again!
