A change in perspective

Mitigating burnout in UK hairdressers with a transpersonal coaching technique

Abstract

Hairdressing demands strong interpersonal skills and exceptional customer service, leading to performance pressure that can affect the hairdresser’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. This qualitative study explores Open Awareness (OA), a transpersonal coaching technique, as a way to enhance resilience in hairdressers facing occupational stress. Nine co-researchers, aged between 24 and 62, who self-identified as experiencing burnout, were trained in the practice of OA and committed to daily practice for fourteen days. At the end, each co-researcher was interviewed. The findings suggest that OA has the potential to decrease stress and increase well-being among hairdressers. By integrating OA into their lives, hairdressers reported improved emotional regulation, improved coping mechanisms, effective client interaction, healthier boundaries, and increased motivation in their work. These results align with research in other high-stress professions, such as teaching and nursing, where awareness-based practices like mindfulness reduce burnout and foster resilience. OA’s transpersonal focus, which emphasises awareness of relational and environmental interconnectedness, offers a unique contribution. Limitations of the study include: a small sample size, questions about the suitability of OA for all practitioners, and the potential of OA to create overwhelm in those new to transpersonal techniques.