Everything You Should Know About Stress & Hair Loss

It is very common for hair to change in texture and density over the course of your life. Although common, this does not make it any easier to manage thinning hair. If you start noticing an increasing amount of large clumps of hair in your brush or down the shower drain, you may wonder if stress or anxiety is to blame. There is a strong link between stress and hair loss but the good news is that you can take steps to prevent this frustrating symptom from occurring.

Types of Stress-Related Hair Loss

Hair loss is never the only symptom of anxiety, but it is a distressing one. Increased emotional or physical stress (as a result of injury, illness or surgery) can cause two different types of hair loss. The more common type is called telogen effluvium which is less severe and occurs when hair stops growing and lies dormant, only to fall out 2 or 3 months later. It takes 6 to 9 months for the hair to grow back. The other type of stress-induced hair loss is known as alopecia areata and involves a white blood cell attack on the hair follicles. With this type of hair loss, the hair also falls out within weeks, usually in large amounts or patches, but can even involve the entire scalp and body hair. Hair may grow back on its own, but treatment may also be required.

How to Relieve Stress

To treat hair loss caused by stress, the best thing you can do is identify what is triggering heightened emotions and learn ways to cope in a healthy manner. These techniques can help you cut out stress in your life when possible so you can get your emotional and physical well being back in check.

Establish a Morning Routine

Start your day off by creating a routine that makes you feel relaxed and centered before rushing out the door. Waking up 20 to 30 minutes earlier to meditate, do yoga or try a new beauty routine can help reduce feelings of anxiety. If you want to give your lashes and brows some extra love, apply a lash or brow serum while you enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. To help with hair loss on your head, apply hair growth serum at your roots and continue with your normal routine. Vegamour’s Volumizing GRO serum will help kickstart new hair growth.

Get Outside

You don’t have to go on an elaborate hike to feel the positive benefits of exercise. Simply walking around your neighborhood for 10 to 20 minutes can get your endorphins flowing and help reduce stress. If you don’t like going to the gym, spending some time in your local park or outdoor space can be a great alternative.

Watch Something Funny

Laughter truly is the best medicine. If you’re feeling stressed, turn on a show, movie or podcast that will make you laugh. During a laugh, respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure temporarily rise. This causes oxygen to surge through the bloodstream that then results in lower blood pressure and thus helps relieve tension and stress.

Meditate

 

Meditation is an amazing tool for chronically stressed people to take back control over their emotions. Meditating early in the morning before you leave the house will help you feel grounded and capable of dealing with situations and people that trigger feelings of stress and anxiety. To start meditating, simply find a quiet and comfortable place and sit with your spine straight and close your eyes. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Focus on the way the air moves in and out of your body. Start by meditating for five minutes and add time as you begin to feel more comfortable.