As dog groomers, we have one of the most rewarding jobs out there. You get to work with dogs all day and make them look and feel their best with your talented and creative flair! However, it's important to take care of yourself too. After all, your job involves long hours on your feet, and demanding pressure on your body.
Avoiding burnout is essential to maintaining a long, healthy and successful career in dog grooming.
What is burnout?
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that is caused by prolonged or chronic stress. When someone experiences burnout, they may feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and unable to meet the demands of their job. Burnout can lead to a decrease in work quality, an increase in absenteeism, and a higher risk of accidents.
Who is at risk for burnout?
Anyone who experiences chronic or prolonged stress at work is at risk for burnout. This includes groomers who often work long hours in high-stress environments. Groomers may be at particularly high risk for burnout due to the physical demands of the job, as well as the emotional demands of working with animals and the demand for groomers.
What are the symptoms of burnout?
The symptoms of burnout vary from person to person but can include physical exhaustion, mental fatigue, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Burnout can also lead to changes in eating and sleeping habits.
So the question is can burnout be avoided? As a dog groomer, it's easy to get caught up in work and forget to take care of yourself. Finding a good work/life balance is essential to avoid burnout. In this blog post, we'll give you some tips on how to avoid burnout as a dog groomer.
1. Make sure to take some time for yourself
Every day, even if it's just 30 minutes, stop and have some YOU time. Use that time to do something that you enjoy, such as reading, taking a walk, painting, walking the dogs or spending time with your family or friends. You'll be surprised how much of a difference taking some time for yourself can make!
2. Take care of your physical health.
It's important to take care of your physical health as well as your mental health. Make sure to eat healthy meals and get plenty of exercise. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and improve your overall mood. Taking care of your physical health will also help you feel you’re best while you're at work. Book regular check-ups with your docter and be sure to book that Massage that you so deserve!
3. Stay organized and don't overbook yourself.
One of the most important things you can do to avoid burnout is to stay organised. Keep track of your appointments and make sure you don't overbook yourself. Overbooking yourself can lead to feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. It's important to not book that extra client when you are already overbooked. Looking after yourself is no.1 priority, without you there is no business
4. Set boundaries with clients.
It's important to set boundaries with clients, especially when it comes to cancellations and last-minute appointments. There will always be clients who try to take advantage of your time, but it's important to remember that it’s your business and you call the shots! Learning how to set boundaries will help you avoid feeling taken advantage of and stressed out.
5. Do regular breath work while you’re working
It's important to take even a minute every hour to do some soothing breath work. You can find your favourite method online or use this one. Empty the lungs of air, breath in through your nose for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, exhale out of the mouth for 8 seconds, and repeat at least 4 times.
Even if you can't step away from your workstation, take a few deep breaths and stretch your arms and legs.
6. Stay hydrated.
Dehydration can lead to fatigue, so make sure you're drinking plenty of water throughout the day. If possible, bring a water bottle with you and take sips between dogs. This doesn’t mean the coffees that you need to get you going in the morning, yes there is water in there, but coffee can dehydrate your body. Have a bottle handy and pop some fresh lime, orange or lemon slices in to give some refreshing flavour.
7. Eat healthy snacks.
It's easy to reach for unhealthy snacks when you're tired and hungry. However, sugary or salty foods will only make you crash later on. Choose healthier options like fruits or nuts instead.
8. Get enough sleep.
This one may seem obvious, but it's important to get enough rest so you can perform your best at work. If you're struggling to get enough sleep at night, try changing your sleep time and be sure to put down devices and turn down the lights. Soft lighting will encourage your sleep routine, pop a drop of dōTERRA lavender on your pillow, grab a book and get ready for a beautiful nights sleep. Dont forget to put on a soft silk eye mask.
9. Simplify to Amplify
Sometimes burnout is simply from feeling overworked and underappreciated. Check your pricing structure, everything is going up, which means you must keep up with regular increases. A simple as a price increase not only increases your profit margin, or allows you to groom less dogs and make the same amount of money, it can also allow those certain clients that made your day difficult to move on to greener pastures. There is always plenty of room for the right customers just for you. Remember you’re worth it!
10. Looking for some motivation? Try any or all of these
Sometimes all a groomer needs is a little inspiration to get their Mojo back. Attend a grooming conference, attend a grooming show, find a mentor, approach your local groomers for a get-together, or join Groomer Nation membership, it is the best place for groomers of all levels to learn, share ideas and grow in their careers with other like-minded groomers.
Burnout is a very real phenomenon for dog groomers. It's important to be aware of the signs of burnout and to take steps to prevent it. By finding that work/life balance and setting realistic boundaries and goals plus scheduling time for yourself outside of work, you can help avoid burnout and stay healthy both mentally and physically. Taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of the dogs you groom!
Comments