Hair loss is frustrating to deal with. It affects everyone; men and women of all ages and ethnicities. However, very few people realize that stress can be contributing to hair loss. For some, stressful situations come and go, while others experience stress on a daily basis.
Here are three things to know about stress and hair loss:
1. Stress can cause medical hair loss conditions
When you’re extremely stressed and hair fall is no longer normal, it can lead to certain medical conditions. One of these is called telogen effluvium, which is when large portions of your hair fall out, usually in handfuls.
Individuals who have this condition often lose up to 70% of the hair on their scalp because hair stops growing. Telogen effluvium may be chronic or acute, and sometimes may last for half a year or more.
Stress can also result in Alopecia Areata, another condition wherein the white blood cells attack hair follicles, leading to dramatic hair loss. In this case, hair loss is noticeable in patches, and it can affect the entire scalp within just a few weeks.
2. Stress Can Be Physical And Emotional
Stress can be caused by a multitude of things, and it isn’t limited to psychological, mental, or emotional stress. Your tresses can suffer from stress caused by a variety of factors: a breakup, grief, financial difficulties, going through big changes in your life, or a burnout at work.
Additionally, your body may also be going through stress, as it adjusts to changes during pregnancy, or tries to fight an infection when you’re sick. Overexerting yourself at the gym can also cause stress.
3. Self-Care Is the Long Term Answer
Stress-induced hair loss is reversible in most cases, especially if you catch it early on. The simplest and most effective way to combat stress and the hair loss it causes is to invest time in self-care. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and exercise, and feed your body with whole, nutrient-rich foods.
Stress is inevitable, but you can also engage in healthy ways of dealing with stress. Meditation, yoga, and spending time with your loved ones are some effective forms of dealing with stress.
Explore some fun exercises such as spinning classes, boxing, aerobics, or other class workouts. Try to carve some time out of your busy day to do things are good for your mind and body; these little windows of relaxation can support you as you pull through an extremely stressful period.
Help your body achieve balance by supplementing too. Biotin and vitamins can support your physical needs while promoting hair growth. Most importantly, make sure you’re getting good, restful sleep. A good night’s rest will do wonders for managing your stress, all while helping you feel better from the inside out.
Studies also show that getting more sleep every night can even reduce your overall stress levels. If you’re having difficulties getting some shut-eye, you can also try taking melatonin or playing soothing music to relax you before bed.
