Hair Loss Due To Stress? 7 Ways To Start De-Stressing Today
On a normal day, the average person loses about 100 hairs from their head. If you have telogen effluvium, however, the number increases to 300. You’ll notice the additional hairs on your pillow, the ground, or caught in your hairbrush.
Telogen effluvium is usually caused by a traumatic event, shock, or stress.
Are you experiencing hair loss due to stress? Instead of counting the hairs on your pillow, it’s important to find ways to relax the mind.
Here are seven ways you can start de-stressing. With these easy at-home methods, you can discover how to stop hair loss due to stress. Instead, you can keep those strands of hair where they belong: on your head.
1. Exercise
Exercise is an effective way to manage your stress.
An intense workout can encourage your body to release endorphins, which are hormones associated with happiness. Endorphins will help you feel calmer and more relaxed. If you’re experiencing hair loss due to stress, consider developing a workout routine.
Choose an exercise activity you already enjoy or try a new one instead. These can include:
- Running
- Hiking
- Rowing
- Cycling
- Kickboxing
- Dancing
- Weight lifting
- Rock climbing
A rigorous workout will help your body release the endorphins you need to combat your stress.
Make the effort to schedule at least half an hour a day for these workouts. It’s important to make exercise a part of your daily routine for your body and your mind. With exercise, you can sweat out your stress every day instead of keeping it pent in.
2. Practice Meditation & Yoga
Hair loss caused by telogen effluvium usually occurs about three months after the stressful event.
If you notice hair loss due to stress, take a deep breath. In addition to exercise, it could help to include a yoga or meditation class into your routine. These classes are effective in reducing stress levels and anxiety.
You can also practice meditation at home or at work.
There are plenty of free apps that can guide you through meditation practices. To start, focus on your breathing. Feel the air travel through your nose, through your body, and filling your lungs.
Then, slowly exhale. Imagine your breath filling a big balloon.
Repeat this process a few times. As you breathe, try to shut out the world and clear your mind. Each time a stressful thought pops up, push it aside.
Focusing on your breathing can reduce stress and anxiety. It’s also effective for lowering your blood pressure and helping you get some sleep.
3. Get More Sleep
Getting enough sleep every night is also important for reducing your stress and hair loss. Aim for seven to eight hours a night.
Otherwise, a lack of sleep could increase your mental and physical stress. If your sleep issues continue over a long period of time, it could also impact your mood. When your mood is affected, it impacts your entire life.
To get the sleep you need, try to maintain a regular sleep pattern.
Go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning. This will keep your circadian rhythm in sync.
Before bed, try to relax. Take a hot bath or read a book. Avoid bright laptop, phone, and tv screens before going to bed.
4. Change Your Diet
The right food with the right nutrients can give your body the energy you need to make it through the day. Energy makes it easier to cope with stress. Nutrients can also strengthen your hair to keep it from falling out.
Try to schedule three well-balanced meals throughout your day.
Don’t skip breakfast. Your body needs a protein-heavy meal at the beginning of the day to drive your metabolism. Otherwise, you could experience unhealthy cravings.
Avoid too much sugar or caffeine.
Instead, eat fruits and vegetables. Add lean proteins, whole grains, and foods that are high in healthy fats. These include avocados, olives, nuts, and oily fish like salmon.
5. See a Therapist
After a traumatic or stressful event, you might ignore your emotions. This can increase your hair loss due to stress and anxiety.
Instead, talk to someone about your problems.
Consider seeing a professional therapist and talk about what happened.
If you’re not comfortable speaking with a stranger, talk to a friend or family member. Talking through your issues can relieve stress. They can also lend a sympathetic ear and help give you some perspective about what happened.
Speaking to someone can help relieve your stress and reduce your hair loss.
6. Check Medications and Vitamins
In addition to a healthy diet, you can also use vitamins, minerals, and supplements to improve your hair growth and overall health. These vitamins are great for hair and scalp health:
- B vitamins
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Magnesium
- Omega-3 fatty acids
If you’re taking medications following a traumatic event, check the list of side effects. Some medications can cause hair loss.
These medications include blood pressure tablets and blood thinners.
Other medications that promote hair loss due to stress include lithium, methotrexate, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories.
If you’re taking any of these medications, speak to your doctor about lowering your dosage. They might also be able to recommend an alternative that won’t increase your hair loss.
7. Take Care of Your Hair
Take some time off and let your body recover if you’ve been through a physical accident or illness.
Taking the time for self-care can also help you de-stress. In addition to baths and meditation, consider developing a new hair care routine.
Use a shampoo and conditioner that benefits your hair type. Avoid using chemical-heavy products. While you’re in the shower, give yourself a scalp massage.
Consider moisture and shine treatments or a hair mask, too. This extra care can improve your hair’s condition, making it soft and silky.
Hair Loss Due to Stress?: De-Stress and Look Your Best
A less stressful life is just within reach. With these tips, you can prevent hair loss due to stress and get back to your life.
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