In addition to the major health and financial crisis we are facing, the Coronavirus pandemic is also having an immense emotional impact on people. The shock of where we currently are, and the accompanying stress levels and seesawing emotions of frustration, disbelief, anger and anxiety, leaves us all feeling fearful.
Our clients are fearful of potentially catching something in the salon. Our teams are fearful for their health, the health of their families and their financial well-being. And, owners are fearful for all the above on top of the survival of their business.
Regardless of whether you are an owner, a client or a team member, it’s okay not to be okay. But, the question remains: How do we get through this emotional rollercoaster? Here are a few tips:
- Safety first. We are not going to feel emotionally great every day, and that's okay. Some days we are going to be down, but if we also become physically unwell, it will amplify the situation ten fold! Take care of yourself first.
- Have regular breaks. When you're back in the salon wearing facemarks, gloves and maybe even a visor, it's going to be overwhelming. When you combine that with a busy salon, and clients and other team members that are also feeling vulnerable, it makes for a ‘combustible situation'. Make sure you get regular breaks and a little time to decompress.
- On-going communication. Whether it’s to clients, management, or between team members, we need to be kept informed. In the absence of communication, people make up their own version of the truth and it’s usually worse than the reality.
- Acknowledge feelings and emotions. We are not all subject to the same stresses. We are not all going to be experiencing the same challenges and feelings and emotions every day. Remember, it’s okay to not be okay!
- Show appreciation. Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Look for opportunities to say ‘thank you’. Looks for opportunities to acknowledge any small acts of kindness.
- Tolerance. While we may be weathering the same storm, we are not all in the same boat. Some people are more prepared than others. Some people have more resources than others. When and where you can, try to put yourself in someone else's shoes, because it just might be you tomorrow.
- Teamwork. For the foreseeable future salons will not run the same way they did before COVID-19. There will need to be many changes in our daily routines and many compromises made to the way we work. But, it will be better for everyone if we do it together.
- Look out for each other. Our mental health can be a fragile thing. Check in with your people and make sure they are okay. In times like this, we need to look out for each other more than ever before.