Introduction
Undoubtedly, the 21st century is a time when maintaining and improving mental health is becoming a significant trend. Stress, overwork and a sedentary lifestyle lead to emotional burnout syndrome and other negative consequences. Beauty and wellness salon owners increasingly offer mental health treatments integrated into their salon operations. Check out our blog for new trends in this area!
They are any intervention – assessment, diagnosis, treatment or counselling to maintain or improve mental health or to treat mental or behavioural disorders in individual and group contexts.
Studies have shown that blue and green can create a calming atmosphere, orange and yellow stimulate the appetite, red and pink arouse passion and energy, and purple can promote creativity and productivity.
Spas offer various treatments such as massage therapy, aromatherapy and meditation, all of which can help combat depression symptoms. For example, massage therapy can reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol by up to 50%. Massages also increase the body's production of serotonin and dopamine.
What is mental health?
The World Health Organisation defines mental health as a state of well-being in which a person can fulfil their potential, cope with the everyday stresses of life, work productively and successfully, and contribute to their community.
In this positive sense, mental health is the foundation for individual and community well-being and effective functioning.
Beauty services and mental health
Most people will admit that nine times out of ten, their salon visit is about the feel-good factor, the peace and freedom that comes with it, not just the grooming and pampering factor. But, of course, this brings to the question of whether there is a therapeutic element to improving overall well-being.
It is important to remember that hairdressers, masters and beauticians cannot replace professional help for mental health problems. However, their close contact with their clients gives them a unique opportunity to provide compassionate attention and assist them in seeking help for mental health problems. With the proper training, skills and knowledge, the grooming industry can bridge the gap between silence and seeking help. Offering services that improve your clients' mental health in your beauty salon will also increase your salon's overall performance and success.
A mental health campaign in your salon – what might it look like?
Salons should consider aligning their service offering with a complementary, spiritual and holistic approach. By increasing your knowledge of these techniques, you can also enhance your personal development and provide additional skills to your clients.
You can offer events and services to promote your customers' mental health. Here are some of the services it could include:
Meditation
Guided meditations can be helpful for a wide range of people, from beginners to meditation sceptics to seasoned experts. This service can help your client gain a new perspective on stressful situations and improve their stress management skills. You can also combine two treatments, such as a manicure and meditation, and see how it works in your salon! Why not? An innovation that will attract the attention of potential clients.
Somnology
A somnology consultation is an effective procedure that allows your clients to analyse their sleep with a specialist and improve their well-being. So try to bring specialised somnologists into your business and offer this service.
Consultation with a psychologist or psychotherapist
Your clients can make a direct appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist. This can be an initial consultation to identify difficulties and ways to overcome them. This can be a convenient option, especially if it may take a long time to get an appointment with a specialist in an urgent situation.
Other mental health services or activities
There are several ways that a beauty business can add something for mental health improvement, including:
Self-care services: offering facials, massages, and other relaxation treatments can help customers feel pampered and reduce stress and anxiety.
Mindfulness and relaxation classes: many beauty businesses can include yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises to help customers relax and improve their mental well-being.
Mindful makeup and skincare: offering makeup and skincare products specifically designed for use during mindfulness and relaxation practices can help customers feel more centred and calm.
Mental health support: partnering with mental health professionals to offer customers therapy or counselling sessions can help improve their mental well-being.
Education and resources: offering workshops, classes, or information on topics such as stress management, self-care, and other mental health-related issues can help customers to understand better and manage their mental health.
Create a welcoming and inclusive environment: creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for customers, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, etc., can help customers to feel more comfortable and safe in your beauty salon.
Employee support: prioritising employee mental health and well-being can positively impact the overall atmosphere and culture of the business. In turn, it will reflect on customers' experience.
Offering experiential services requires innovation; consider participating in wellness festivals and exhibitions that you usually overlook. Consider hosting wellness festivals or mental health days yourself in your salon. Of course, with promotions, discounts for referring friends and other nice perks for your clients. Host a mental health party with eco-friendly, healthy cocktails, dancing and meditation.
Devote some time to finding wellness products and books to put in your reception or relaxation area, invest in accredited professional training, work with businesses, go into office spaces, look for pop-up events, offer workshops and get outside.
We should balance and nourish our physical, mental, spiritual and emotional powers. Hand on heart: could you offer your clients more to achieve this balance without them turning to other providers?
How do you get these services right and maximise delivery? EasyWeek scheduling software can help you with all the complex booking processes. It will take care of all the grunt work while you can focus entirely on your clients. It's the perfect way to automate and improve your beauty business! Try it out and test its features in the first 14 days. The support team is available to answer any questions you may have. A solution that accompanies your business 24/7.
Online appointments for mental health events
An appointment software can have both positive and negative impacts on mental health.
On the positive side, online appointment software can make it easier for individuals to schedule and manage therapy or counselling appointments. This can be particularly beneficial for people who struggle with mobility or transportation or live in remote or underserved areas. Online appointment software can also provide increased flexibility, as people can schedule appointments at times that work best for them and quickly reschedule or cancel appointments if needed.
Conversely, online appointment software can also create barriers for specific individuals. For example, if people need help with technology or don't have internet access, they may have trouble using online appointment software. Additionally, online appointment software can create a disconnection between the therapist and the client, as the scheduling process needs to be done through personal interaction.
Mental health service providers must ensure that the online appointment software is user-friendly and accessible for all individuals, including those with disabilities. It's also essential to communicate clearly with clients about scheduling an appointment and a backup plan for those unable to use the software.
Try user-friendly EasyWeek booking software to schedule your beauty and mental health events.
