The Case for the ‘Mental Health Manicure’
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I’m exhausted right now. My life has been particularly stressful lately, I hardly got any sleep last night, and frankly, I’m not sure how I’m going to finish writing this article. But glancing down at my hands click-clacking away on my keyboard, I suddenly feel a little more focused, energized, and confident—like I’ve got this. And no, not because I’m the Flo-Jo of typing; because I recently got my nails done for my birthday.
This little mental health boost isn’t new to me. Whenever I have perfectly polished nails, I feel like I have my shit together—even when my shit is, objectively, all over the place. That’s why if I know I have a hectic couple of weeks ahead of me, I try to book a manicure or whip out my own file and polish. Maybe my to-do list will be out of control, and my anxiety will certainly be firing on all cylinders, but at least my nails will look good—and somehow, that makes everything feel a bit better and more manageable.
I know I’m not alone here: Last month, SELF rounded up a bunch of Olympic athletes who prioritized getting bold manicures for their big moments in Paris—including track superstar Sha’Carri Ricardson, who considers her intricate nail looks an important part of her mental game. And on one of my all-time favorite podcasts The Deep Dive, hosts June Diane Raphael and Jessica St. Clair regularly wax poetic about how even on their lowest, darkest days, gels and press-ons give them the confident, “woman of significance” energy they need to march on.
Why does having your nails done make you feel better about…everything?
For one, it can increase self-worth: “Taking the time to do our nails is a way to signal that we care for ourselves and our bodies,” Charlynn Ruan, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of nationwide therapy practice Thrive Psychology Group, tells SELF. “Also, manicures are not a ‘need’ like many other grooming activities, so they feel like a fun indulgence or treat.” Because sleek French tips and glossy coats of polish go beyond basic self-maintenance, like showering and brushing your teeth, “they show that we’re choosing to add something to our lives purely because it brings us joy, which is very self-affirming,” Dr. Ruan adds.
While I couldn’t find any solid scientific studies to support that having manicured nails, specifically, improves mental health, Dr. Ruan says research has shown that wearing makeup can help you feel more confident and self-assured, and she thinks manicures can have a similar effect. “Plus, they have the added benefit of being in your line of vision,” she says. “You need to look in a mirror, Zoom self-view, or photo to see your makeup, but we spend so much time looking at our hands, so we get to enjoy the mood boost of a manicure throughout the day.”
Dr. Ruan also backs me up on the motivation behind my personal “mental health manicures”: stress prep. “If you know you are going into a hard week and you won’t have much ‘you time,’ getting a manicure beforehand can help you feel polished and well cared for, even on the days when you might have to cut corners on other parts of your self-care routine.” You may have to skip your usual workout class or a luxurious everything shower may have to wait, but your 10 tended-to fingertips can serve as regular reminders that you haven’t completely neglected yourself.
Going to a nail salon may give you extra mental health perks.
I used to paint my own nails most of the time out of convenience and, when I was a broke editorial assistant living in NYC, necessity. But lately, I’ve been booking more salon appointments and after talking with Dr. Ruan, I wonder if it’s at least partly because I’m a single work-from-homer whose social life is lacking at the moment.
“When we go to a salon and let another person paint our nails for us, we get the added benefit of engaging in a positive human interaction,” Dr. Ruan says. She also points out that, in some cases, nail techs can have a more profound effect on their clients’ mental health. “As a therapist, I have worked with people who came to therapy at the recommendation of their hairstylist or manicurist, who was worried about them after the things they shared during their appointments, and encouraged them to get more support,” she says.
Even if you only talk about less serious stuff, like work drama or being annoyed that you can’t seem to find a new mindless show to get into, simply having someone to confide in or yap with can make you feel more connected and validated, she adds. And if, like me, you often don’t feel like talking much while you get your nails done, you may still reap the benefits of human touch. “As a society, we are very cut off from physical contact with other people and often limit touch to our immediate family,” Dr. Ruan says. “So if someone does not have that at home, a manicurist might provide the only nurturing touch they receive all week.”
Basically, getting your nails done is a fun way to show yourself a little love.
“Manicures have a great self-care ROI compared to other grooming activities,” Dr. Ruan says, adding that they typically take only an hour or two, and unlike makeup, hair, and clothes—which can also boost your mood, by the way—they don’t require daily upkeep. “Considering that they can last up to a few weeks with almost no maintenance and you look at your hands more than any other part of your body, that is a lot of positive impact for very little investment.”
There are no rules when it comes to mental health manicures. The color(s), length, shape—if it makes you feel better, it counts. But “once you’re aware of the positive impact a manicure can have on your mood, you might want to experiment with different ways to tap into it,” Dr. Ruan says. “For example, if you’re going into a new job and feeling a little nervous or worried about your performance, choosing a bold color like a classic red might give you a little courage whenever you look down.” Or if you’re feeling particularly frazzled, maybe a calming, neutral color like a milky white or soft nude is the move.
The nails that assured me I could finish writing this article? A modern twist on the classic French mani: ballet-slipper pink with thin, mauve-bronze tips. They were meant to be festive and after speaking with Dr. Ruan, it’s even more fitting that I got them done on my birthday because as I glance down at my fingertips now, I not only see 10 cute little mental health tools, but a celebration of myself.
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Originally Appeared on Self
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