Photo by Free-Photos from Pixabay
Living indoors with the outdoors Lauren Gibson looks at the benefits of incorporating greenery into your salon environment Our industry has mostly been an indoor industry and environment – confined to treatment rooms for 8 to 12 hours and sometimes longer. While the trend of bush treatments and outdoor experiences has grown, we are still seeing salon treatments being done behind closed doors – and for obvious reasons. However, nature therapy is an extremely powerful and easy therapy to bring into your salon. It is not only important for clients having treatments, but for staff working in the salon or spa environment as well.
Connection to nature There is science backed information to support the movement of greenery indoors. We are connected to nature and living and working with it in our space will improve our overall wellbeing. Studies have shown that plants indoors and in your workspace can Create a sense of relaxation – nature allows our central nervous system to be engaged and this generates a sense of calm and the beginning of relaxation before the therapist’s hands touch the client. Improved air quality – certain plants can absorb and draw toxins out of the air. This ensures the
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environment is cleaner, which results in less stress on the central nervous system and immune system, as well as the skin.
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Enhanced wellbeing for staff – if staff are working in a closed environment for many hours (and often exposed to chemicals in a salon), it is important to have greenery around them to remove toxins and allow for a sense of calm. This will enhance the working environment for the staff and general overall wellbeing. Attract passing customers – should salons be lucky enough to have a window onto the street, having a living wall or area of greenery allows passers-by to see the greenery indoors and often they are attracted into the salon. It also allows for a great conversation starter about the importance of greenery indoors and the importance of rewilding (bringing nature to the skin). Overall stress reduction – lowering blood pressure, the heart rate and overall muscular tension are positive side effects of being around nature and greenery. Due to the calmer state of being by having plants indoors, workplaces have seen increased productivity and the sharpening of attention and creativity.
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Recovery and illness – plants have been shown to speed up recovery from illness, surgery and injuries.
Safe plants When it comes to choosing your plants, you always want to ensure you are choosing indigenous plants that are safe for pets and children. Some suggestions of plants for South Africa include Phipsalis casutha Philodendron (Monstera) Asplenium nidus (birds nest fern) Aglaonema (silver queen) Hoya carnosa (wax plant) Draceana compacta (dragon tree) Perperomia compacta Spekboom (needs sunlight) Aloe Vera Air plants Succulents Snake plant Engage with nature and bring some greenery indoors – the change in your staff and clients will be outstanding.
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Lauren Gibson has over 15 years in the health and beauty industry with qualifications in yoga, mindfulness, content marketing and management practice. laurenleigh.gibson@gmail.com
online @ probeauty.co.za
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