We all get a little wound up or worn down sometimes. But if the stress in your life becomes too much or is on-going, it can literally start to show! Hair loss is one of the first signs that your stress levels are becoming unhealthy. So let’s have a talk about how stress hurts your hair growth. And let’s learn some great solutions for both managing your stress, and getting those lovely locks back on track. Phew!
3 Types of Hair Loss Caused by Stress
There are 3 common types of hair loss that are stress related. Let’s take a closer look at each, and see if one or more of these could be affecting your hair health.
- Telogen effluvium: This is a type of temporary hair loss, brought on by chronic stress, or by a single or series of high stress events in one’s life. While it’s normal for some of your hair follicles (about 5%) to be in a resting phase at any given time, during significant stress the body copes by deactivating more of the follicles on your head. This causes more hair strands to prematurely shed. This is basically your body shifting into a type of survival mode, saving its resources for more vital bodily functions. You may notice more hair coming out in your hair brush or in your shower. You may even notice thinning areas on your scalp, or along your hairline.
- Trichotillomania: Did you know that you could be literally pulling your own hair out? Yeah, it’s not just a turn of phrase! Trichotillomania is a behavioral cause of hair loss, in which the person develops a nervous habit of picking at their scalp and pulling out strands of hair, without even being aware of it. It’s basically an unconscious habit. This is a phenomenon that also is ultimately caused by underlying stress and anxiety. Talk therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, are typically the best way to resolve this type of hair-destroying habit.
- Alopecia areata: High stress can also cause hair loss indirectly by affecting other bodily systems, like your immune system for example. Normally, the immune system functions to identify and attack unhealthy things like germs, viruses, and cancerous cells. But the immune system can be thrown off by too much stress, causing it to be confused and attack perfectly healthy parts of the body. If it attacks the hair follicles, then alopecia areata results. With this condition you may notice distinct patches of missing hair on your scalp, and even on the body as well.
6 Ways to Reduce Stress and Re-grow Hair
Clearly, stress can play a major role in different types of hair loss. Thankfully, we have many ways to reduce and manage stress. Here are some of our best tips and tricks for reducing stress in your life, and saving your hair!
- Nutritional Support: Eat plenty of colorful fruits and veggies, and take your HAIRtamin! With higher amounts of stress, your body can easily become nutrient depleted. In addition to a nourishing wholesome diet, it’s essential to have additional vitamins and minerals to help your body replenish itself further. Our HAIRtamin Advanced Formula is designed as a complete supplement for your hair, and can help support your adrenal glands, which get taxed under stress. Curcumin, also in HAIRtamin, has been found to help with the regulation of the stress hormone cortisol.
- Epsom Salt Baths: Salt baths offer deep relaxation as minerals like magnesium soak into your skin and muscles, offering relief to any aches, pains, or cramping. The magnesium in Epsom salt can also help you get more restful sleep, giving your body the time and space it needs to recharge and recover.
- Exercise: It might feel like the last thing you want to do, but exercise is so good for stress management. Not only is it an important way to increase blood flow throughout your body and promote circulation to your scalp, but daily movement is an excellent stress and anxiety buster. Exercise promotes a more robust constitution of the body and mind. It also helps to regulate your hormones and encourages a strong gut-brain connection.
- Meditation & Visualization: Even 5 minutes a day of meditation can be enough to help your body regulate its stress response. It’s a great way to begin the day and can be as simple as focusing on your breath, while letting your thoughts melt away. It’s nice to follow this up with a visualization of how you’d like your day to go and seeing yourself accomplishing what you set out to do. It’s also important to practice self forgivness if things don’t go as planned!
- Relaxing Hair Mask: This is a great way to get in some “me time”, and rejuvenate your locks at the same time! Our Hair Mask is like a spa day in a jar. It contains lavender and other ingredients like chamomile, tea tree and peppermint, that not only soothe the mind and body, but they also can help to heal and nourish your scalp and support healthier hair growth.
- Gratitude Journaling: Developing this daily practice has been found to rewire the structure of your brain, keeping you healthier, happier, and more at peace. Simply writing down a few things you’re grateful for each day, will help to harbor more happiness and take control of your mindset and attitude towards life.
