Experts share how nail techs can prioritise mental & emotional wellbeing

Scratch turned to industry experts to curate a selection of practical tips and products to promote mental and emotional workplace wellbeing.

Mental and emotional wellbeing are imperative for long-term career viability and satisfaction, yet many beauty professionals are so busy juggling client requests, social media and business admin that they struggle to prioritise their own needs.

So, how can you tailor your workplace to be one of source of stability, happiness and calm?

Salon senses

Our sensory systems play a powerful role in supporting emotional wellbeing. Whether through visual stimuli, music or scent, our senses are the body’s first point of contact with the world around us.

Since your salon or studio is where you spend most of your time, crafting a sensory experience that boosts your emotional wellbeing isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.

Sound

Music plays a powerful role in shaping the atmosphere of a space. Choosing the right music for your work environment not only sets the tone and intentions of your business, but can contribute to positive personal wellbeing.

Freddie Moross, an advisory board member for the Global Wellness Institute & CEO of Myndstream: a wellbeing-focused salon and spa music provider, shares: “Sound therapy was first thought to be used by the Aborigines, via a didgeridoo, and the art of ‘sound bathing’ dates back 5,000 years.

“In Chinese Qigong, there are sounds that are thought to stimulate certain parts of the body. These help the brain to reach delta and theta wave states, which we only experience when daydreaming or in a deep sleep. Reaching these waves when conscious helps natural healing and generates a nurturing feeling.”

Spotify has curated playlists that are designed to enhance mental wellbeing. Explore the ‘Wellness’ genre to discover hundreds of specially crafted compilations. If you are in need of a mood booster, try the platform’s ‘Happy Hits!’ playlist, or press play on ‘Peaceful Meditation’ for a moment of calm.

FACT FILE: The song, Weightless, by Marconi Union has been dubbed ‘the world’s most relaxing song’, with studies suggesting it can reduce stress and anxiety levels by up to 65%.

Sight

Research has shown that specific colours can greatly influence emotions. Soft, soothing tones, like gentle greens, warm neutrals or light blues, help reduce visual stress and create a sense of tranquillity, while pretty pastels such as pale pink, lavender and mint green evoke optimism, femininity and nostalgia.

When chosen thoughtfully, colour can lift mood and soften tension. In a salon setting, the right palette doesn’t just decorate the room: it supports emotional wellbeing.

Scent

Beverley Higham, an IFPA qualified aromatherapist with over 30 years’ experience, says: “Often, aroma stirs us. Smells connect us to positive feelings, emotions and memories.

“I’m a regular visitor to salons and spas, and it always strikes me how each experience engages the senses. It seems natural to diffuse the air with safe and pleasant aromas to calm, soothe and uplift.”

Beverley suggests the following salon scent stories:

• “Citrus is uplifting and joyful. Fruit scents calm anxiety and nervous tension, infusing the air with childlike joy and lifting spirits, which is ideal in times of low mood.
• “Lavender reduces tension and provides a soothing atmosphere. This scent will help the body release ‘feel-good’ hormones.
• “Spearmint and lemongrass add zest to help uplift. This blend will clear the mind and sharpen the intellect, which is great for early afternoon slumps.”

Social support

Creating communities is a key component for positive mental and emotional wellbeing. Being a nail tech can be a lonely profession, and thus, having a space to share achievements, anxieties and advice is essential.

Click here to Scratch‘s full feature on wellbeing from our January 2026 issue.