We ask five hairdressers how they are stress-busting

As part of HJ’s Stress-Busting Week with Wella Professionals, we asked five hairdressers for their top tips on keeping a healthy mentality during these challenging times.  

Stress-busting tip 1: Cleo McCormack on muscle relaxing techniques

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHF01VmH0SG/ Cleo McCormack, Dublin’s Wella studio manager who also has a background in psychology and coaching, shares: “Find a comfortable position and begin by clenching everything from your toes up to hips. Hold for ten seconds and, on the exhale, release. Continue this in the abdominal and shoulder areas and, after you release, work through from your hands making fists all the way up to your shoulders. Lastly, taking in our head, forehead and our eyes- hold, exhale, release. By the third round of this, I always feel a lot calmer as it releases energy.”  

Stress-busting tip 2: Melissa Timperley on the importance of getting outside

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHH4stTHBDS/ Melissa Timpereley, owner of Melissa Timperley Salons, says: “Whether it’s for ten, twenty or thirty minutes, get yourself into nature. It helps reset your energy and to find your balance again. You can go for a run, you can go for a walk, or you can take your dog on a walk like I’ve been doing. Get yourselves outside, reset yourselves and recharge- it really does help.”  

Stress-busting tip 3: Kay McIntyre on keeping a balanced routine

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHKzhU1nNc2/ Kay McIntyre, director and owner of McIntyre Salons and UK education ambassador for Nioxin, says: “When having a busy schedule, I feel you really need a balanced routine. Mine is getting up and going to the gym as often as I can, because this makes me feel good. After that, I come back and walk my dog, which I love. Just getting out in nature and getting fresh air is great for headspace right now. If that fails and after work I still feel a bit stressed, I can knock myself up a mean coconut margarita and that usually hits the spot.”  

Stress-busting tip 4: Brandon Messinger on hydration, meditation and avoiding overthinking

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHNb-vkgFfS/ Brandon Messinger, Denman UK ambassador, shares: “As someone who has struggled with anxiety and panic attacks throughout the years, I wanted to share some of my top tips to help you relax, especially during these unprecedented times. Make sure you’re staying on top of hydration. It is so important to keep drinking water because the body reacts really weirdly when we’re not properly hydrated. Also, don’t overthink things. You’re always going to have this little voice in your head giving you doubts, but ignore it because it lies to you. Finally, go on to YouTube and check out The Honest Guys. It’s a channel full of guided meditation for all sorts of scenarios and I can’t recommend it enough.”  

Stress-busting tip 5: Kai Wan on keeping fit and active 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHPliKWAcsf/ Kai Wan, owner of Pkai Hair, says: “Something that has really helped me this year was getting out on my bike. I’ve had a love for cycling for a few years now, and just getting out in the fresh air and really pushing myself just clears my head. I’ll come back refreshed, like it’s just me and my bike. Sometimes, I just meander through the countryside and really take in nature, and I really think this helps with mental health. Just seeing your surroundings and smelling the fresh air, listening to the birds. Cycling for me has been my thing; it’s been a bit of a godsend.”

HJ’s Stress-Busting Week is sponsored by Wella Professionals. For more information about Wella Professionals or to connect with their team, follow them on social media via Facebook and Instagram.