Is that a sigh of relief we hear? We seem to have made it out the other side. With the major lockdowns and pandemic restrictions behind us, it is time to get back into the swing of things.
Slowly but surely, we are seeing people return to work where possible, children are enjoying school trips and a bit of normality again and our daily routines are back on track. It is safe to say that we are all thankful for this light at the end of the tunnel.
But now, of course, we all face a new challenge. After the two years of restrictions, jumping back into normality seems to be taking its toll. We are all starting to feel a growing strain. The same one we felt pre-pandemic.
However, it’s not all bad news. Normality now means we no longer need to turn to the DIY self-care we dabbled in during lockdown. When shops and salons weren’t open, a lot of our self-care treats like haircuts, manicures and massages were put on hold. Since then, we’ve been craving relaxation and stress release again. (We’ve also been desperately trying to fix the disastrous at-home haircuts…)
Mary Ann Weeks Spa and Salon have branches in Guildford and Walton-On-Thames that were, of course, just a couple of the many that were affected by lockdown closures. This meant all of their services halted.
From Aveda facials and hot stone massages to scalp treatments and blow drys – no one was able to indulge themselves. Many regular clients of Mary Ann Weeks comment on the atmosphere of the spas and salons, saying that is what keeps them coming back time after time.
For many, a weekly or even monthly visit is a time to chat and enjoy a change of scenery. Throughout the height of the pandemic, loneliness skyrocketed in all age groups. But particularly that of the over 60’s has always been an issue across the country.
Not having these treatments to look forward to also took away people’s means of socialising and communicating with new people. For clients and staff alike – it meant some were going days or weeks without speaking to another soul. It is no wonder so many struggled with poor mental health during this time.
On top of that, well-being and self-care in this form were taken away in a heartbeat. The escape from our stressful jobs and busy lives was now much harder to achieve. This also took a toll on our minds and bodies.
After two years of what felt like a never-ending strain on our mental health, the team at Mary Ann Weeks shared the excitement of returning to the high street with many other businesses across Guildford and Walton.
The salons were actively hiring and able to provide jobs for those who may have been made redundant or forced to relocate during the pandemic as well as those whose careers were supposed to get off the ground years prior. It brought life back into the towns and staff could begin enjoying the friendly, welcoming nature of their roles at Mary Ann Weeks.
Clients also spoke so highly of the team’s return. Their “extremely professional and courteous” attitude was what everyone needed at such a tentative time. Many people were still unsure about returning to these settings and wondered whether it would be safe to do so.
However, once the spa treatments were back in full swing, clients were able to make the most of the “totally refreshed and relaxed” feeling we missed and craved during the pandemic. When life takes a toll and work is go, go, go again – it doesn’t take much more than a 45-minute massage from a Mary Ann Weeks professional to bring you back to life.
With such a friendly team, the staff were able to rekindle their working relationships and achieve just as much benefit as the attending clients. Job security and a sociable atmosphere seems to have brought many out of a place of darkness.
Couple that with the relaxing Aveda aromas spread through each salon and you’ve got a true recipe for success.
It just goes to show how much we can gain from what seems like a simple and inessential luxury. Without it, many of us struggled through the past couple of years. But now we’re regaining that sense of normality – we can celebrate the return to the highstreets and keep up with our much needed wellbeing routines.
