Stylists Support Clients—But Who’s Supporting Us?
Why Work Anxiety Hits Hard in the Beauty Industry
It’s the end of the day, but your mind is still at the salon. You’ve spent hours listening to clients, offering advice and making them feel their best—but who’s there for you? We pour so much energy into others that we often forget to care for ourselves. And it’s no surprise—work anxiety is a constant struggle in this industry, with unique challenges that make work-related stress hard to shake, like:
- The pressure to be perfect: Every client expects flawless results, and one small mistake can feel like a failure. The constant pursuit of perfection can be exhausting.
- Emotional overload from client relationships: Clients confide in you, seek advice and expect emotional support, making it hard to disconnect at the end of the day.
- The never-ending hustle: Between growing your clientele, managing bookings and keeping up with trends, the pressure to do it all can feel overwhelming.
These challenges may feel like part of the job, but constantly carrying this weight can lead to salon burnout. Prioritizing your mental health and finding ways to unwind is essential to showing up as your best self—for you and your clients!
We asked the BTC fam about unwinding and the community had A LOT to say! Keep scrolling to read some of their favorite ways to deal with work-related anxiety and a list of resources to help you manage stress.
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BehindTheChair’s Disclaimer: We are not your doctor! While we are sharing advice from other hairdressers who may have found success with medical intervention, this is simply a platform for sharing stories and NOT expert medical advice. Always speak to a licensed medical professional for health-related questions.
1. Find Solace in Silence
“Silence. No music. Just decompressing. Then get home and sit in my car for 30 minutes to catch up on all the things I couldn’t get to on the phone all day.” – @larisadoll
“I make the drive home quietly, no radio, no podcasts, just silence.” – @ev.hairco
“Music for the ride home. Then I have a 30-minute no-talking rule when I get home. That includes my shower time.” – @bonnielarch23
2. Reset Your Mind & Recharge
“Windows down even if it’s cold in the car, my music on and then take the dogs straight out for a good walk once I get home.” – @jackhowardcolor
“Spending time with my animals… instantly lowers blood pressure and rejuvenates my soul.” – @liz.honey-hair
“Drive with no music on in silence, and get home to my family thankful for a full day at the salon and thankful I made it home safely and fulfilled tired AF but happy.” – @beyoubyj3ss
“Nature is a big one for me, having grown up between Florida near the oceans and the Appalachia, and now living in the desert, nature is challenging, so I take trips when I can and escape.” – @mandyandyhair
“Call my mom on my way home every day, it keeps my mind off the traffic and that’s our time to catch up before I get home and just want to shower and lay down.” – @freshendsbyanna
3. Turn to Fitness for Mental Clarity
“I go to the gym and work out with loud music, then drive home in silence.” – @jkm_hair
“On my shorter days, I head to the gym with a trainer to be a better me.” – @caryndipity
“Gym, outdoor bike ride, sit slumped on the couch doom scrolling, hang out with my animals, make a simple dinner, and watch my shows.” – @hairmagehtx
4. Unwind with Music and Reflection
“Put the AirPods on, listen to my favorite song and disconnect. Depending on the day, I reflect on what I could’ve done better … mostly I like to disconnect, sleep on the day and come in even better the next day.” – @hairdiariesss
“I sit in my vehicle for like 5 minutes before I drive home. Then listen to Phil Collins or Five Finger Death Punch just depends on the day.” – Sandie Hanson
“I take a really hot shower and then lay in bed and put earbuds in and listen to calming sound bath music. It really helps shut out the noise and decompress.” – @lifeofstaci7
5. Practice Gratitude and Letting Go
“I leave with so much gratitude for having wonderful clients. I never complain, just feel grateful.” – @carladawsonhairstudio
“Always thank the receptionists before I leave the salon. Get home, have a glass of wine and review my day, check how much money I made and think about the beautiful hair I did today.” – @stylistjd
“Leave it in the room when I leave, just like I leave home in the car when I go to work.” – @terryboyd.hair
6. Set Boundaries
“I work in a renovated caravan out the front of our house. I sit and answer all messages before going inside. I also turn off the music while I’m tidying up.” – @hairnv_byjade
“Leave it in the room when I leave, just like I leave home in the car when I go to work.” – @terryboyd.hair
“Always change your clothes, the brain thinks ‘all right, something different.” – Derek Snow
Check out the full Instagram and Facebook posts for more responses.
Looking for More Support? Here Are Some Resources That Can Help
- Head Up: A free program by L’Oréal Professionnel offering mental health training and work anxiety resources, aiming to support their well-being and resilience.
- Beauty Starts Within: SexyHair partnered with Mental Health America, to provide work anxiety resources, self-care education and support.
- Professional Beauty Association (PBA): The Business of One Membership includes virtual mental health counseling.
- Mental Health First Aid: A site by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing (NCMW) with resources, hotlines, support groups and more.
- The Sanctuary Challenge: A free 60-day commitment to wellness through meditation, exercise, rest and healthy habits.
- IDONTMIND: A nonprofit empowering mental health conversations through resources, education and advocacy offering articles, expert Q&As, community support, tools and more.
