As an independent beauty professional, you know that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your clients. Being your own boss is not for the faint of heart, so we wanted to take a pause for May’s Mental Health Month to discuss ways to battle burnout and prioritize your well-being as a business owner, beauty professional, entrepreneur, and member of the Sola family. Tips to prioritize your mental health: Take five: One of the best ways to combat burnout is to take a break. Schedule some time in your day to take a mental health break, even if it's just a few minutes to meditate, go for a walk, or stretch. Studies show that taking regular breaks can actually increase productivity and creativity by allowing the brain to recharge. Online booking: Managing appointments and scheduling manually is now a relic of the past. Online booking eliminates the need to constantly manage back-and-forth calls, texts, and emails for appointment booking, cancellation, and rescheduling—what a relief for the monkey mind! Plus, did you know that online booking systems can increase revenue by up to 30% and reduce no-shows by up to 70%? That is a win-win-win for you, your business, and your clients. Schedule time off: As an entrepreneur, it is easy to fill your schedule to the brim, including holidays and weekends. It is critical to schedule days off to recharge and do something you love. When you schedule personal time in advance, nobody can double book you during your much-needed time for yourself. Inspire your business: If you are feeling stuck or devoid of inspiration in general, we recommend trying a new practice like meditation, breathwork, or vision boarding to keep your mind clear and energized. If you are lacking business inspiration, try to learn a new skill or launch a new service to keep your creativity flowing and your clients excited about new offerings. Over time, this type of reinvestment in your education will grow your career exponentially. As a Sola professional, you have access to a library of educational tutorials, webinars, and podcast episodes from the beauty industry’s leading experts. To access a wealth of resources, download the Sola Pro app, and go to the Education section. Click on “Videos” and “Tools & Resources” to find hundreds of videos to reinvigorate your business mindset. Connect with the Sola network: Remember that you are never alone! There are power in numbers - and you have nearly 20,000 other Sola professionals in your community, and they are all part of the Sola family. Reach out to a fellow Solapreneur and invite them to join you for a walk, coffee, or to simply catch up. Connecting with others in the industry can be a great way to find support and inspiration, and to grow your career opportunities over time. Health first: It is critical to prioritize a balanced diet to maintain a healthy mind, especially when your services are physically demanding (note: most are!). There are several vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are essential for maintaining mental health. We recommend checking to make sure that your meals and/or supplements are rich in these nutrients. Nutrients to support mental health: Vitamin D plays a crucial role in regulating mood and overall well-being, with people deficient in Vitamin D displaying signs of depression and mood disorders; Vitamin D can be ingested or soaked in from the sun (see sunshine recommendation below) Vitamin B12 is important for the production of neurotransmitters that affect mood and cognitive function Omega-3 fatty acids are important for brain function and have been linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety Magnesium is involved in several biochemical reactions in the brain and has been shown to help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, while balancing mood Meal prep: We recommend meal prepping for the week to ensure that you always have healthy food options ready, even on your busiest days. On-the-go meals are perfect for a busy beauty pro who might otherwise skip a meal or order something less nutritious. When meal prepping, focus on incorporating nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to support your optimal mental health. Stay hydrated: Studies have shown that staying hydrated can have a positive impact on mental health, improving cognitive function while reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. To determine your daily water intake needs, follow this equation: Divide your body weight in pounds in half and drink that amount of water in ounces each day For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should aim to drink at least 75 ounces of water daily. Exercise: Make sure to fit exercise into your schedule with walking breaks, a lunchtime workout, or a packed bag in your car to seamlessly transition to the gym after work, even when your schedule is packed. Regular exercise balances mental health by boosting mood, increasing self-esteem, and reduc