Hairbrained – Fit Stylist Makes for First Class Service by Beauty Expert, Gina Rivera

The New Year has started and many of us are still reeling from the festivities and the fun events that we experienced over the holidays. Though the holidays are terrific, they often go hand in hand with rich foods, a lot of hours in the salon and very little attention to our own health.

With the 25 plus years that I now have under my belt behind the chair, I understand the toll that your body undergoes as a Salon Professional. I was told early on by my Father, who had been in the business for 50 years, to always take care of my body. I took this advice and I personally make it a point to do some form of physical activity every day. The fact that I have remained very diligent about this has definitely contributed to being able to endure and thrive on those days that I do 12 hours in the salon.

It’s so important to feel great and energetic when your clients arrive and part of that means being fit enough to stand on your feet for several hours and treat your last client with the same enthusiasm as you treat your first client. I always feel my best after I work out. For me, it servers to get my endorphins going. It also clears my mind and it helps to get me focused and sharp mentally for the day. I like to say that “working out gets the train moving”.

Since I am not a fitness professional, I rely on different resources and experts when I am working at getting fit. Some of those things include clearance by my doctor, working with a gym or personal trainer, and educating myself on the different types of work out options that are available to me.

Hand in hand with feeling great are some common sense things that we all should do. Remaining hydrated is very important for our health in general so, I always keep a water bottle handy and close in reach during my workday. I believe that once you are a Salon Professional you usually are one for life. So, it’s important to develop good habits that support your lifestyle like getting rest, eating well, and staying physically active.

Getting started can sometimes be challenging, so you may also want to identify someone or a group of people in your work place who have the same types of goals as you do. This way, you can push each other, collaborate, and hold each other accountable. If you’re really feeling ambitious, perhaps you can put together a workout group and meet up with colleagues at the gym either prior or after your workday.

As I mentioned, I am not an expert or authority on exercising but personally it has been great for my mind. So, take care of your body because it will pay dividends in the long run. And, this is important because I don’t know about you, but I am nowhere near the end of my career.