Exercising the facial muscles

The importance of staff wellbeing

As the spa industry starts reopening globally, we are all faced with the same challenges as we navigate our way through the ‘new abnormal’, writes MARISA DIMITRIADIS. key issue in the running of any spa business that is often overlooked, is the wellbeing of your staff. This is A staff. It is understandable that you all feel completely overwhelmed with the added workload and pressure. Let’s start off with defining the word wellbeing. Wikipedia the way the general public has been feeling since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, you would encounter words such as – stressed, traumatised, afraid, anxious and worried, to name but a critical business responsibility defines wellbeing or wellness as a few. It is highly unlikely that you which deserves careful thought the condition of an individual or will hear anyone say they’re feeling and execution. group. It states: ‘Wellness refers energised, wonderful, elated and

As an owner or manager, you to diverse and interconnected fantastic. The reality is that we have experienced the challenges dimensions of physical, mental, are dealing with a mentally fragile of implementing new protocols and social wellbeing that extend workforce. and trying to keep your space virus beyond the traditional definition free. Imagine for a moment how of health’. Energy transference this new work environment and Why is this so important in In our industry, more so than the added responsibilities may be your business? If you were to any other, we rely on energy affecting the wellbeing of your conduct a survey to ascertain transference to complete the

customer experience and determine whether a customer becomes loyal or lost. Energy transference is the magic that happens when a therapist touches her client, whether during a massage or skin treatment. Every time we touch a client, our energy transfers to them and it stands to reason then, that the client transfers their energy to the therapist as well. Have you ever had a massage and felt that the therapist had ‘angel hands’ or ‘heavenly hands’? Have you ever had a massage where you felt the opposite, perhaps irritated or anxious after the massage? Well, that feeling you have after a spa or salon treatment is a direct result of the energy transferred by the therapist.

It may be unfathomable that this one aspect could make or break your business and now, more than ever, you are in no position to neglect any avenue to success. Therefore it is your responsibility as owner or manager to be in control and manage your staff wellbeing to ensure their morale and psyche is energised, positive, happy and nurturing.

How to manage wellbeing

Let’s now investigate three ideas to assist you in managing the wellbeing of your staff. The focus is to prompt them to share information they ordinarily would not, giving you valuable insight into their physical and emotional state.

• Quality of life questionnaire • Letter to COVID • Check in feeling word

The quality of life questionnaire will give you crucial insight into the frame of mind of your team member. It covers the emotional, spiritual, financial, environmental, social, physical, cognitive and behavioural aspects of a person’s life. This questionnaire will determine whether the staff member is capable of working on your clients, or whether you need to seek further interventions to better their state of mind.

Writing a letter to COVID is fun and also allows for a good, solid vent. Encourage each staff member to write a structured letter to COVID. Ensure they write a minimum of one page but don’t limit them to a maximum. The more they write, the more they vent.

Here is a guide to the proposed structure of the letter: • Cleary tell COVID how you feel. Be sure to describe each emotion you are feeling. • Tell COVID what has happened in your life during lockdown / quarantine. • Tell COVID three of your lowest moments. • Tell COVID what you learnt during lockdown / quarantine. • Tell COVID three of your best moments during lockdown / quarantine. • Tell COVID who was there for you and helped you get through the lockdown / quarantine. • Lastly, tell COVID what your future plans are in terms of getting back on track. This is a powerful tool to assist owners and managers to understand the impact that the pandemic has had on each individual member of staff.

The check in feeling word is a simple exercise which will allow each person to express their daily feelings in a safe environment. The idea is to create a group chat platform where team members share one word to describe the way they feel every morning, prior to arriving at work. This allows team members to offer each other support where needed, as well as a deeper level of understanding, fostering empathy and care in the workplace.

Again, as an owner or manager, feeling overwhelmed at this juncture is understandable. The absolute last thing you need to be burdened with is creating a wellness strategy for your team. It is important to leverage channels available to ease your workload. For this reason, we have devised a Dynamic Employee Wellness Guide specific to our industry, with 13 ideas to implement in your business as well as a comprehensive Quality of Life Questionnaire. This guide is available at https://spaprofessionals-guild.company.site

Deepak Chopra once said: “For everyone, wellbeing is a journey…. The secret is committing to that journey and taking those first steps with hope and belief in yourself.”

So, I urge you all to take those first steps now and commit to a wellness journey for yourself and your team. PB

Marisa Dimitriadis if founder of The Spa Consultants and co-founder of The Spa Professionals Guild.

marisa@thespaconsultants.co.za

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER WITH THEADVANCE YOUR CAREER WITH THE ISA CARSTENS ISA CARSTENS ACADEMYACADEMY ISA CARSTENS, a name you can trust.ISA CARSTENS, a name you can trust.

THE ISA CARSTENS® ACADEMY has built a proud history THE ISA CARSTENS® ACADEMY has built a proud history of providing quality education and services to just over 4000 of providing quality education and services to just over 4000 alumni, since being established in 1978. As a leader in acadealumni, since being established in 1978. As a leader in academic quality and innovation in the Health and Skincare Industry, mic quality and innovation in the Health and Skincare Industry,

Isa Carstens Academy is recognised as a top national training Isa Carstens Academy is recognised as a top national training institution and devoted to excellence in teaching, learning and institution and devoted to excellence in teaching, learning and developing students and entrepreneurs who make a difference, developing students and entrepreneurs who make a difference, not only nationally, but also internationally. not only nationally, but also internationally.

The Wellness economy which was identified as a $4.2 trillion-dollar inThe Wellness economy which was identified as a $4.2 trillion-dollar industry in 2017, encompasses industries that enable consumers to incorpodustry in 2017, encompasses industries that enable consumers to incorporate wellness activities and lifestyle into their daily lives. The Global Wellness rate wellness activities and lifestyle into their daily lives. The Global Wellness

Economy includes ten sectors of which our students find employment in 4 of Economy includes ten sectors of which our students find employment in 4 of these sectors, namely Personal Care, Beauty and Anti-Ageing ($1.083b), Healthy these sectors, namely Personal Care, Beauty and Anti-Ageing ($1.083b), Healthy Eating & Nutrition and Weight Loss ( $702b), Spa Economy ($119b) and Thermal Eating & Nutrition and Weight Loss ( $702b), Spa Economy ($119b) and Thermal and Mineral Springs ($536b).and Mineral Springs ($536b).

With a continuing passion in this ever-evolving industry and our inspiration and With a continuing passion in this ever-evolving industry and our inspiration and commitment to excellence, we are proud to offer highly personalized education. commitment to excellence, we are proud to offer highly personalized education.

Based on two campuses, Stellenbosch in the Western Cape and Pretoria in Based on two campuses, Stellenbosch in the Western Cape and Pretoria in

Gauteng, Isa Carstens Academy offers contact-, blended- and distance learning Gauteng, Isa Carstens Academy offers contact-, blended- and distance learning programmes that are fully aligned on the National Qualifications Sub-Framework programmes that are fully aligned on the National Qualifications Sub-Framework as well as a wide array of short courses.as well as a wide array of short courses.

Historically, the beauty, health and skincare industry has been seen as largely skills trainHistorically, the beauty, health and skincare industry has been seen as largely skills training with no career path for the therapist to follow. However, with the development in the ing with no career path for the therapist to follow. However, with the development in the industry, moving away from beauty to a wellness industry, the industry has moved away from industry, moving away from beauty to a wellness industry, the industry has moved away from skills only training to more academically focussed programmes, creating a clear career path for skills only training to more academically focussed programmes, creating a clear career path for the somatologist wanting to further his/her studies. the somatologist wanting to further his/her studies.

To ensure we create a definite career path for our students, the Isa Carstens Academy offers the folTo ensure we create a definite career path for our students, the Isa Carstens Academy offers the following programmes on the National Qualifications Sub-Framework:lowing programmes on the National Qualifications Sub-Framework:

QualificationQualification NQF Level Total Credits Mode of DeliveryNQF Level Total Credits Mode of Delivery

Higher Certificate in Front Office Administration 5 Higher Certificate in Front Office Administration

Diploma in SomatologyDiploma in Somatology

Advanced Diploma in Advanced Diploma in Dermal AestheticsDermal Aesthetics 6

7 5

6

7 120

360

120 120

360 ContactContact

ContactContact

120 Distance LearningDistance Learning

If we turn back the clock to 40 years ago, we found that therapists working If we turn back the clock to 40 years ago, we found that therapists working in this industry were largely focussed on performing beautifying treatments, in this industry were largely focussed on performing beautifying treatments, focussing on the upper level of the epidermis to even out skin texture and focussing on the upper level of the epidermis to even out skin texture and performing a deep cleansing treatment for their clients. Body treatments performing a deep cleansing treatment for their clients. Body treatments were largely focussed on relaxation. were largely focussed on relaxation.

With the emerging spa industry, the inclusion of various complementary With the emerging spa industry, the inclusion of various complementary therapies has led the therapist into developing a more holistic way of aptherapies has led the therapist into developing a more holistic way of approaching a client, linking the client’s lifestyle and dietary history to the proaching a client, linking the client’s lifestyle and dietary history to the conditions presenting. conditions presenting.

The theory components of the programmes now have to include subThe theory components of the programmes now have to include subjects such as Anatomy and Physiology, Science, Nutrition and Social Psyjects such as Anatomy and Physiology, Science, Nutrition and Social Psy

chology. A far stretch from being skills only. What we saw happening 10 years ago was the enormous growth in the non-invasive anti-ageing industry.

Aesthetic Medicine is one of the fastest growing fields in healthcare today. The demand for non-surgical facial rejuvenation therapy is growing and the partnership between doctors, nurses and somatologists is the ideal model to provide safe, state of the art care for patients. These types of treatments that are being performed by somatologist works on a much deeper level and could go down to the papillary dermis, with the incidence of complications being much greater. This would require a somatologist to not only have a more in-depth understanding of the treatments or technology he/she is performing and the physiological effect it has on the skin or body, but also to have problem solving abilities on a much higher level.

At the Isa Carstens Academy, our number one mission has always been to develop highly employable therapists. In order to do this, we need to ensure that our courses remain relevant and industry specific. We focus on providing the industry with registered qualifications and tailor-made short courses in areas where a need for continuous professional development has been identified i.e. Laser and Light therapies, Pigmentation, Scarring and Wound Healing, Acne and Rosacea, The Aging skin, Body contouring, Advanced Aesthetic Procedures and Salon and Spa management.

It is important for anyone working in this ever-evolving industry to make continuous professional development a priority. CPD is an ongoing process and continues throughout a professional’s career. Not only to enable you to get ahead and stay ahead but also to prepare for the inevitable changes and improvements that are made in the wellness industry. It will not only assist you in being relevant with new development in the industry, but also to excel in it.

At the Isa Carstens Academy our short

courses have been developed for the working beauty therapist/somatologist with the majority of content being completed online, followed by condensed practical sessions if required.

Visit us on YouTube. The Isa Carstens Academy created several short YouTube videos where frequently asked questions are addressed and explained by our Academic Head, Yolandé Swanepoel.

Here you can learn more about qualifications and registrations as well as work designations within our industry.

You can also learn from industry experts about the symbiotic relationship between Therapists and Aesthetic Physicians when Advanced Dermal Aestheticians and Physicians work together to treat the whole patient, with Dermatologist Dr Suretha Kannenberg.

Click on the YouTube logo to visit our channel.

TAKE YOUR CAREER BEYOND BEAUTY

Discover how the Isa Carstens Academy can help advance your career with our advanced qualifications and quality short courses.

Since 1978, the Isa Carstens Academy has firmly established itself as a leader in academic quality with a well-earned reputation for innovation in the Health and Skincare Industry.

Our team is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning and developing students and entrepreneurs who make a difference, not only nationally, but also internationally.

Contact us for a virtual or on-site campus tour and let our career consultants guide you through our course offerings.

Stellenbosch: +27 (0)21 883 9777 | Pretoria: +27 (0)12 348 0125

isacarstens.co.za

@isacarstensacademy info@isacarstens.co.za

@isacarstens

Diploma in SOMATOLOGY Timeline: 3 years NQF Level 6 (360 credits) SAQA ID: 83046 Advanced Diploma in DERMAL AESTHETICS Timeline: 1 year NQF Level 7 (120 credits) SAQA ID: 97898 Higher Certificate in FRONT OFFICE ADMINISTRATION Timeline: 1 year NQF Level 5 (120 credits) SAQA ID: 111453