Heather Hughes: Why self-care is ‘career care’

Beauty careers are deeply rewarding, but they also place unique physical demands on the body.

Hours spent bending over clients, reaching for tools, or clenching the jaw in moments of concentration, for example, slowly build stress and tension, often without realising it.

Over time the nervous system adapts to these ‘work postures' and makes them feel normal. The nervous system always looks for efficiency and it assumes this is how you want to move, so it begins locking in these abnormal postures to make them your default.

Take leaning over clients, for example. What starts as a slight forward head tilt with rounded shoulders and a collapsed chest can, with repetition, settle into your everyday posture. And the posture gets even stronger if you spend time after work in similar positions, such as using a smart phone or sitting at a computer. Now, visualise the effects over 10 years into your career and beyond. Did you picture yourself slumped over even when standing?

Regularly abnormal postures increase the resting state of tension in your body over time. This leads to muscle imbalances, pain and even reduced mobility. If left unchecked, this can go beyond physical discomfort and it can shorten career longevity. It's not uncommon to know someone who has left their job in the beauty services industry due to chronic pain or injury.

But here's the good news: it doesn't have to be this way. With awareness and a few daily habits, you can rebalance your body and protect your career. Small, consistent actions make the biggest difference.

Here are a few simple strategies you can implement now... 

Move intentionally for 15–20 minutes a day. Choose practices that undo work postures and calm the nervous system like Somatic Movement, yoga, tai chi, or any slow, mindful exercise you enjoy. If you like it, you'll stick with it.

Optimise your workspace. Understand ergonomics principles, how they apply to your job and how to implement positive changes. For example, keep tools, products and lamps within easy reach to avoid bending or twisting. Make sure trolleys, chairs and beds move smoothly.

Sometimes a simple wheel replacement or change in flooring makes all the difference.

Reset between every client.  Just one minute helps. Jump lightly, circle your arms, twist side to side, and open and close your hands to release tension. Get blood flowing.

Think of self-care as ‘career care.' It's easy to dismiss self-care as optional when appointments are back-to-back and clients come first, but your body is your most important tool. You can't deliver quality work to your clients if your body is not optimally functioning. By taking care of your body and posture each day, you're not only investing in your own wellbeing but also in the longevity of your career.

By understanding the role of tension and by counteracting it daily, you can protect both body and career. You and your body are worth caring for as much as you care for your clients.

Heather Hughes is a Somatic Movement Instructor and co-founder of The Balanced Beauty Pro, an online wellness course developed to support beauty and hair professionals in caring for your body.