On the fifth of May each year, thoughts turn to Mexican food and margaritas. But do we even understand the reason? Cinco De Mayo, which is Spanish for fifth of May, is a special day commemorating the date of the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Although many people mistake it for Mexican Independence Day, it is actually a celebration of a very specific battle where the Mexican troops were vastly outnumbered by the French but were able to pull off the victory. This is a good metaphor for busy hairstylists who often seem overworked, outnumbered, and tired. And if you are a busy hair stylist, this is a great time to take the day off and take care of yourself.
Cinco de Mayo is a colorful and inclusive holiday which features dancing, music, cocktails, costumes, and cuisine. And today is as good a day as any to take control of your busy schedule and hit the refresh button. Below are some tried and true tips to make the most of this spring holiday.
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is the kind of thing we know we should practice more, but in the busy daily life of the salon, practicing gratitude often gets overlooked. But if you have the chance to take the day off, it would be a great time to take a deep breath and picture all that you are grateful for. A gratitude journal is a tangible reminder to say thank you each day, for a great boss, fantastic clients, and FHI products that are out of this world.
Fill your life with color
You don’t have to wear a Mexican costume to fill your life with color. This springtime holiday is a great time to fill your home or station with a bouquet of flowers to brighten your day, or to wear a colorful piece of clothing while you relax. And speaking of color, how would your friends react if you returned to the salon with new highlights in your hair? Finding ways to add color to your day will lighten your mood and the days of those around you.
Practice yoga for stylists
More than in other professions, your body really takes a beating as a hairstylist. Practicing some simple yoga positions like these which concentrate on your wrists, shoulders and core will help you deal with the long days of work. Your hands are especially susceptible to fatigue and overwork, so take a day off from anything that uses your hands today.
Get rid of toxic clients
A spring holiday like Cinco de Mayo is a good time to take stock of your clientele, and do a little spring cleaning. Everyone has that toxic client that they dread seeing on their schedule, and now is the time to cut them loose. By filling your days with more upbeat, life-giving clients, you will bring yourself more peace and calm your own mental health.
Unplug
With the exception of a Netflix binge on your couch perhaps, unplug all of the other technology that is constantly swirling around your brain. No uploading hairstyles to Instagram, no answering emails to clients, and no obsessively checking your appointment book. If you take the time to truly relax and unplug, you will be better able to deal with the stress of the normal work day once you get back to your chair.
Play with Products
Even if you have a “day off,” your hairstylist brain never quite turns off. If you have a friend nearby and some time to play, try something you don’t always have time to do when the daily grind gets in the way. Grab a friend and experiment with this hair filler. If that is not your speed, try your hand at straightening your bestie’s hair with this styler or any other of our dynamic FHI Heat products that you haven’t had a chance to try.
Enjoy a Cocktail
At the end of your relaxing day, it will be time to enjoy a margarita and join in the true Cinco de Mayo celebration. Try this margarita recipe, which offers less sugar and a choice of juices. Pomegranate or blood orange would be very delicious, and less sugar means you will be more energized to meet the days ahead with your clients.
Just like those tireless Mexican soldiers that held their own against a larger French army, you will be back in the hairstylist trenches soon enough. But pausing for a day to recharge mentally and physically is a powerful reminder to slow down when you feel overwhelmed and add a little color to your life!
