Barbers are an important part of the community. They cut hair and make people feel good about themselves. However, their own wellbeing should also be a priority 

They are usually there when you need them. But barbering as a job is not easy—working long hours in a high-stress environment can take its toll on anyone. That’s why it’s important to practice relaxation techniques to help combat stress – before stress takes over and affects your life!

While barbershops have their role to play to ensure that their employees are relaxed, there are a few techniques that barbers can use on their own as well. A barbershop can play all the calming music it wants, but if the barber isn’t taking care of themselves, they are  not going to be at their best.

In this article, we discuss some techniques and actions  that barbers can use and perform daily to help protect their wellbeing, and to reduce stress.

Stretching

Barbers should stretch their bodies before and after working. This will help reduce the risk of injury and keep all joints limber throughout the day!

You might think standing on your feet all day might not be that bad, but when you’re constantly reaching and crouching, as long serving barbers can attest to – it can certainly take its toll. A good daily stretch can help loosen up your back, neck, and shoulders.

There are a few basic stretches that barbers can do before they start their day:

• Reach for the sky: Stretch your arms straight above your head. Maintain the position for a few seconds, then repeat.
• Rotate your shoulders: Circle both of your arms in a clockwise direction and repeat anticlockwise. Repeat this at least five times per arm. This will help loosen up tight muscles and ligaments around the shoulder area that can be strained from working long hours behind the chair!

There are also some stretches you can do after work:

• Hamstring stretch: Sit on the floor with your legs outstretched in front of you. Reach for your toes and hold for 20 seconds. Repeat two times.
• Neck stretch: Turn to one side so that you can grab onto something with your hand (a wall or desk for example). Slowly move your head in a circular motion as far away from the object as possible without pain, hold for 20 seconds and repeat on the other side.
• Shoulder stretch: Reach your arm across your chest and grab onto the opposite shoulder with your hand. Gently pull until you feel a stretch in your shoulder muscles, hold for 20 seconds and repeat on the other side.

Breathing exercises

Deep breathing is one of the best ways to calm down and relax. It’s a known fact that the more oxygen you take in, the better your body will feel. Science!

Follow these steps to perform deep breathing exercises, which you can do while waiting for your next customer:

• Sit up straight with your back resting against a wall.
• Place one hand on your chest and the other by your nose.
• Inhale through your nose for at least five seconds, making sure that you fill both of your lungs.
• Hold the breath in for two more seconds before exhaling out through your mouth.
• Repeat this exercise until you feel relaxed, then continue with your day.

Finding the time to do these exercises can be a challenge if you work at a busy barbershop, but it’s an important part of the job to look after yourself. By practicing relaxation techniques daily and keeping your stress levels low, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your barbering career for many more years!

Relaxing After Work

To some outsiders, being a barber might seem like a cushy job. Yes, you stand most of the workday, but at least you’re not doing heavy lifting right? Wrong.

While many barbers take their long hours in stride, you should still make time for relaxation after work. It is just as important as the job itself! If an exhausted barber isn’t giving a happy experience to their client base, they might find business can be affected!

Taking care of yourself by relaxing after work might seem frivolous (and obvious) but it is a necessary step to keeping your sanity. There’s no right way to relax but here are some suggestions:

• Read a book or watch some TV: If you live in a colder area, investing in an infrared sauna blanket can help you relax after a long day—some infrared sauna blanket benefits include increased blood circulation and improved skin health. No need to turn up the thermostat!
• Relax with your friends or family: It’s easy to become isolated from the world when you work long hours, but it is always good for a barber to remember that there are people outside of their workplace who care about them (and can help take away some stress). You might be surprised how much better you feel after spending some time with the people you care about.
• Have a skincare regimen: As a barber, helping others look their best is the main part of your job. However – looking and feeling your best also positively contributes to clients trust in your skills. Having a skincare regimen can make you feel better about yourself. For the best results, be sure to look for skincare tips that are specific to your skin type.

These simple relaxation techniques are great for barbers of all skill levels! They’re simple, easy to do, and take almost no time out of your busy schedule—but they can make a huge difference in how you and your customers feel.

Take a few minutes each day to get these techniques done and you’ll be on your way to a more relaxed, happier barber career.

Katie Pierce is a teacher-slash-writer who loves telling stories to an audience, whether it’s bored adults in front of a computer screen or a bunch of hyperactive 4-year-olds. Writing keeps her sane (most of the time) and allows her to enjoy some quiet time in the evening before she walks into a room of screaming kids (all of whom she loves dearly) the next morning. 

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