Groomer Self-Care: Priority #1

Grooming Gab

by Kathy Hosler

know a stylist named Jenny who has been grooming for eight years. Four years ago, she opened her own salon where she put in many long hours and went above and beyond to attract and retain clients. She came in early, stayed late and often gave up her days off to accommodate her growing clientele. She did her best to please each client—often de-matting pets other salons had refused. Now, four years later, Jenny is successful…or is she?

Jenny still works long days. She doesn’t even stop for a lunch break, instead she depends on coffee and energy drinks to get her through the day. All the clients she accommodated by working extended hours when she first opened expect that to continue, and for Jenny to be at their beck and call. She tries to get her clients to pre-book their next appointment, but few do. Instead, they call Jenny when their pet is overdue for a groom and expect her to get them in immediately. And, if they neglect to brush their pet at home, they demand that she de-mat it. After all, she did it for them before.

Jenny is struggling. She is overworked, has no time for herself and is often bullied by clients who have little or no respect for her. This is not at all what she envisioned when she opened her salon. Jenny is exhausted and miserable. She feels helpless and thinks that her situation is hopeless. And, although she never told anyone, she is depressed and wonders if she can go on. Unfortunately, Jenny is not alone. Many groomers are struggling.

“I think that groomer self-care is one of the most important things we should talk about in the grooming industry. Your physical and mental health has everything to do with how you groom.“

– Jay Batista

I recently spoke to elite pet stylist and educator Jay Batista about the importance of groomer self-care. Jay knows first-hand about the struggles groomers have, as he has lived with depression and anxiety. Jay is a successful groomer, educator, brand ambassador, influencer and speaker. He presents seminars on groomer self-care, and in those seminars, he shares why it is so important for groomers to make their physical and mental health a priority. He also provides tips and suggestions on how to accomplish it.

“I think that groomer self-care is one of the most important things we should talk about in the grooming industry. Your physical and mental health has everything to do with how you groom,” Jay states. “I talk with many groomers, and it’s pretty evident that there is a lot of anxiety, depression, and eating disorders in our industry—and it’s definitely increased since COVID.

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“Grooming and everything that goes with it can be overwhelming,” he continues. “The phone ringing, difficult dogs and cats, demanding owners, equipment breakdowns, etc. For many groomers, it’s a daily rat race. They work, work, work all day long, existing on coffee, soda, and energy drinks. Their anxiety levels rise. The pets pick up on the groomer’s anxiety and become more difficult to groom. That adds even more stress to the groomer’s day. When they try to deal with all of this, a groomer’s mental and physical health often suffers.”

So, I asked Jay to share some of his thoughts and suggestions about the things that groomers can do and why they need to make themselves a priority. Here is what he had to say…

“Number one—don’t quit,” Jay says emphatically. “Almost everyone is struggling with something. So many groomers are stuck doing the same thing day after day. They don’t eat well, sleep well, they have no real goals, and often turn to alcohol and other things to keep going. Love and be kind to yourself. That’s hard for a lot of people who are trying to build a business or are supporting a family. They often put their own needs last. But, you need to love and take care of yourself in order to be able to care for others.

“Make improving your health a priority,” he continues “At work, stay hydrated and eat foods that will nourish and fuel your body. Don’t starve all day long, then go home and eat everything in sight, and then go to bed. Instead, take a lunch break, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Eat something healthy. It will give you energy to continue your work day.

“Love and be kind to yourself. That’s hard for a lot of people who are trying to build a business or are supporting a family. They often put their own needs last. But, you need to love and take care of yourself in order to be able to care for others.”

– Jay Batista

“Take breaks throughout the day, even if it’s just five minutes. You can’t perform your best when you work nonstop. Take a short walk to get some sunshine and fresh air. It will clear your mind, refresh you, and give you a brief break from grooming. Getting adequate rest is also crucial. You are not a machine that can operate 24/7. Your body needs down time to rest and restore itself.

“Invest in yourself. That’s a big one,” Jay adds. “Never stop learning. Go to shows and take hands-on seminars. Take private lessons, sign up for online seminars, join online groomer groups. Ask questions and learn everything you can from others. It will help you boost your confidence and your skills.

“Set goals for yourself,” he continues. “When you see an opportunity, take it. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Find what you’re good at, then work till you master it. You will never regret improving your skills and increasing your knowledge.”

In conclusion, Jay says, “One of the best ways to help yourself is to help others. Be kind and encouraging to other groomers. Network and build relationships with them. Life is not easy for anyone. Any act of kindness you do for someone may change that person’s life. And, if you are struggling with any mental health issue, never be afraid to reach for help.”

If you are need help or someone to talk to, you can contact the National Mental Health Suicide Crisis Line by calling 988.

At www.988lifeline.org you can call, text, or chat 24/7 at no cost to you.

The Spanish language lifeline is 1-888-628-9454.

If you speak a language other than English or Spanish, call 988 and you can be connected to a translator.

Deaf or hard of hearing can reach Lifeline via TTY by dialing 1-800-799-4889.

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