My Feet, my back, my shoulder UGH and my hand!!

Oh yea my fellow stylist our job is very Hard on our body and it is super important we take care of ourselves!!! Things I have done that have help are: pay attention to my arm positions when doing hair (elbow should NOT be higher than your shoulder!), got a stool that I sit on while cutting (Yes I know some salons don't want that "Look" but it has helped my back so much it's amazing and I do 10-12 haircuts a day!), having a mat under your chair, wearing ugly orthopedic shoes (can still wear cute shoes with the stool) and compression tights will also help with not getting spider and varicose veins. Keeping fit by working out or doing yoga keeps you limber and mussels strong and that is a must, remember if you are gaining weight and standing on your feet all day that will be VERY hard on your body, so eat right also even if you don't have a lot of time bring healthy options from work don't order out fast foods they will just suck the energy out of you, your body takes more energy to digest fat than healthy foods. Also taking a few minutes to just chill during a crazy day is a must!!! You ask HOW????? Hell I'll go take a pee and just sit there a few extra minutes to gather myself and it really helps. Also SLEEP is so important that is when our body is repairing ourselves and if your not sleeping your hurting your body we need 7 hours a night so if you want to last in this biz without being in pain take care of yourself, I endded up in the Emergency Room in Feb of 2010 thinking I blew out a disk and it was a damn muscle spasms that put me face first into the floor while trying to put my shoes on!!! And not to mention the work I missed because I wasn't taking care of myself so people take care of yourself mind and body and you will be able to do amazing hair and sure as Hell enjoy doing it pain free!!! I've posted a few links (just cut and paste) to sites that will give some suggestions on how to chill out and what exercises  will help. Stay sane and healthy people!!

Cheers, PK

http://www.dol.govt.nz/publications/research/hairdressing/hairdressing_18.asp

http://www.shapefit.com/injury-prevention-exercises-hairdressers.html