Self-care is a term that gets thrown around a lot, and it can mean many different things. For some people it means a lavish day at the spa, with facials, massages, and treatments. For others, it can mean eating home-cooked meals, taking a nice hot shower without getting interrupted, or just getting enough sleep. For many, self-care lies somewhere in between.
I think we can all agree that self-care is important–especially for moms and others who are responsible for the care of others or who otherwise give of their own time and energy for the betterment of someone else’s life. I’m passionate about this topic (in fact I preached an entire sermon about it at the Unitarian Society of Germantown in Philadelphia), and I think it’s really important to spread the message about how important it is for those who care for others to equally care for themselves.
Aestheticians, massage therapists, and other spa therapists strive to provide the space and loving touch to those seeking to look and feel better about themselves, or simply add self-care to their lives. But what happens when the aesthetician’s own needs aren’t met? How does the experience in receiving a facial or body treatment change if it’s coming from a practitioner who’s running on empty herself? A practitioner who’s feeling bogged down, stressed, or disconnected?
Think about it. Imagine going to a spa–taking time out of your day and setting aside money in your budget–for the sole purpose of relaxing, receiving, and rejuvenating–only to find that the air is thick, the vibe frantic, and the service rushed? It’s quite a different experience when the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and the practitioner calm and centered.
Aestheticians and wellness practitioners need to practice self-care as much as they preach it.
This isn’t only necessary for client’s experience, but for the overall wellness and satisfaction of the aesthetician. I can’t tell you how many times I visit aesthetician and?wellness professional?groups on social media and see posts about how drained, stressed, and disconnected many?practitioners feel. And they feel guilty about that, because they care so deeply about how their clients’ experience is.
The International Congress of Esthetics and Spa is one of the leading conferences in the spa industry. Over the past several years, in in its markets of Philadelphia, Dallas, Miami, and Long Beach, it has modified?its offerings to offer practical ways for aestheticians to focus on their own self-care. Exercises in movement, meditation, breathing, gratitude practices, and many other wellness strategies are now taught on the main stage, as well as the idea of how important it is to be centered and present during a treatment. I recently had the opportunity to interview the Vice President of Les Nouvelles Esthetiques and Spa magazine and the ICES, Christele de la Haye, for the Nutritional Aesthetics? Alliance to discuss this further.
Watch the interview below:
It’s been my honor to be part of the International Congress of Esthetics and Spa, and I look forward to continuing to spread the message of self-care for aestheticians and other spa and wellness practitioners.
Are you an aesthetician, spa, or wellness practitioner?
Do you find it hard to “practice what you preach” with your own wellness and self-care practices? Please share your experience in the comments below.
