Stress has become a part of our daily lives, whether you work as a nail salon owner or a nail tech. According to studies, about 77 percent of people experience stress that affects their lives and health. For nail techs, many things can stress them out, like marketing themselves to making their clients fall head over heels for them, ensuring nail salon sanitation is top-notch, battling self-doubt, and juggling their nail career and motherhood.

Massive amounts of stress are never a good thing since they can wreak havoc in your life; therefore, dealing with it healthily can help you sort things out. Before pressure takes over your life personally or professionally, here are our helpful tips on how you can deal with it effectively.

1. Try other hobbies

There's nothing wrong with practicing your nail designs and making your nail ideas come to life during your free time. It's crucial to balance your passion or work with your other interests in life. You're more than just a nail tech; you can bake, write, paint, try archery, and do other things that you haven't tried before.

Learning new things can help spark new nail ideas that can fuel your passion for nails. Don't limit your potential and capabilities as a person. So, explore and immerse yourself in other creative pursuits that can set your soul on fire.

2. Learn your craft

Yes, practicing nail designs from acrylic nails to ombre nails can be addicting, and sometimes perfectionism can get the best of us. Being consistent is essential as a nail professional since it will help you market yourself and make your clients love you. Sometimes, the adage, do what you love and you will never work a day in your life can be true.

You are allowed to learn and practice doing nails as a stress-relieving activity. Sometimes catering to clients and other nail salon needs can be stressful, which takes away the joy in doing nails but don't let it stop you from doing what you love; learn to strike a balance between your passion and job even if it's easier said than done.

3. Get rest as much as you can

Do you know our bodies need 7- 9 hours of sleep or rest every night? But during the pandemic and the rising cases of mental health issues from depression and anxiety, most people couldn't get a good night's sleep. Of course, nail techs are not getting enough rest since they are overworking, accepting clients to make ends meet, which can wreak havoc on their health and career in the long run.

What can you do to remedy this situation? You can do a couple of things by practicing work-life balance, going back to your new year resolutions or goals, and allotting at least resting for about 10-15 minutes by having a power nap during the day or just relaxing after work. 

4. Go on vacations

Have you ever heard of beach therapy? How about just enjoying a staycation in your favorite place? Going on an adventure or vacation will help you destress and focus on yourself; it's also a form of self-love.

Who doesn't want to travel and explore? It's one of the most effective ways to unwind and enjoy your surroundings; surely, nail ideas will pop up while enjoying your stay.

5. Practice mindfulness

Why do you need to practice mindfulness? Because it's an effective way to reduce stress and improve your health and wellness. There are many ways for you to implement mindfulness in your daily life, from journaling your thoughts to doing yoga.

Taking the time to stop and take a deep breath is one way to reframe your mindset, destress and prioritize the things that matter. Being a nail tech or nail salon owner can be hectic, but mindfulness can help you slow down for a while and foster mental health care.

6. Have an active and healthy lifestyle

You probably heard this advice a million times. It's cliché but true; having an active and healthy lifestyle can make a difference in handling stress. Whenever you exercise, your body releases dopamine and serotonin, which are mood boosters and can reduce stress.

Eating healthy foods and changing your lifestyle can help reduce stress in your life. As a nail tech, work can be hectic, especially if you're constantly fully booked, and it can affect your lifestyle and promote stress, which you should avoid.

7. Have fun

Work-life balance should also consist of fun things to do; resting can help you stay zen and carefree but having fun enables you to loosen up and enjoy life to the fullest.

You can have fun working with your nail designs, creating content for marketing strategies, bonding with your clients by talking about beauty or life in general, or redecorating or organizing your nail desk. Work shouldn't be dreadful or too serious, shake things up and have fun to avoid stress in your workplace.

8. Join a community

Having a community will help uplift your spirits, feel connected with other people, and not allow stress to take over your life. If you have a community like the iGel Beauty Facebook community, you'll learn many nail techniques, from sculpture gel to dip powder nails.

You'll also see nail inspirations that are aesthetically pleasing. There's no shortage of tutorials and demos on the online community that you should not miss out on, especially if you're a beginner nail tech.

9. Help other people

You can let go of your stress by extending a helping hand to other people; how can you help other people as a nail tech? You can offer free nail care services to your loved ones or conduct online nail tech classes for aspiring nail professionals to give back.

The sky's the limit to making a difference in people's lives. You'll feel much better and lighter after seeing the smile you put on people's faces.

10. Take care of yourself

How do you reduce stress in your life? By protecting your energy and space, practicing self-love is vital since you are placing boundaries and knowing your limits that can remove the effects of stress in your life. So, take care of yourself the same way you care for other people's needs, such as nail care or nail art.

Stress is beatable with the right mindset and techniques. You'll enjoy life more as a nail tech with our helpful tips. Join our iGel Facebook community to learn more about nail-related best practices and life as a nail tech. You'll have a supportive and loving community with us!