If you're noticing more hair in your shower drain or all over your bedroom floor, you may be experiencing stress-related hair loss. This is a common problem that can occur in men and women of any age.
It can be triggered by physical or emotional stress, hormonal changes, or even nutritional deficiencies. Fortunately, it is often temporary, so there are ways to limit and reverse the effects.
This guide has everything you need to know about stress-related hair loss, including specific causes and various treatment options.
What is Stress-Related Hair Loss?
When we experience stress, our bodies go into fight-or-flight mode. This triggers the release of a hormone called cortisol, which can affect the body in various ways. Elevated cortisol levels can significantly impact the growth cycle of hair.
Cortisol can cause hair to enter the resting phase prematurely, which leads to hair shedding. In some cases, stress can also cause the hair follicles to shrink, which can lead to thinning hair.
Treating Stress-Related Hair Loss
This may come as a surprise but eating a healthy, balanced diet not only benefits your general health but also affects hair growth and development.
If you don’t provide your body with enough protein, biotin, vitamins, and other nutrients, it will take its ration of fuel and energy from your hair to sustain your vital organs. This can cause hair thinning, hair loss, and can make your hair look drier, duller, and more prone to breaking.
To address hair thinning, eat a balanced, healthy diet and get enough vitamins and protein. This will give your hair and body the nutrients they need to remain in good health.
1. Get Plenty of Rest
Rest and relaxation can reduce stress and thus improve hair health. Getting enough sleep is one way to improve the quality of your rest, but you also need to deal with your main stressors.
If it’s your job, go on a vacation. If it’s your relationships, spend some quality time with yourself. Spending time alone will give you a clear head and provide better insight into dealing with the things that are stressing you out.
2. Maintain a Healthy and Balanced Diet
A healthy diet is one of the best ways to mitigate the symptoms of stress-related hair loss. Do not even think about going on a crash diet or other forms of extreme nutrition—these can create stress in your body, so a balanced diet is the best option.
Balanced diets contain plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to help reduce stress levels and promote hair growth. Including some protein-rich foods in your diet can also help promote hair health.
Eating foods rich in vitamins and minerals can also help prevent hair loss. Pack your daily meals with salmon, walnuts, and dark leafy greens for thick, lustrous hair.
3. Take Supplements That Boost Hair Health
Many supplements can support hair health and treat stress-related hair loss. B-complex vitamins are essential for healthy hair as they support the metabolism of proteins needed for growth. Vitamin C is also important, as it boosts collagen, a protein that gives hair its strength.
Certain herbs can also help treat stress-related hair loss. Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb that has been shown to reduce stress and promote hair growth. Look for supplements that contain chamomile, lavender, and lemon balm.
Talk to your healthcare provider about which supplements and herbs can help treat your stress-related symptoms.
4. Explore Activities That Mitigate Stress
Relaxing activities are a great way to treat stress-related hair loss. Taking time to truly relax can be a great way to help improve your condition.
You can try many different relaxation activities, such as yoga, meditation, and aromatherapy. Try each of them out and find the ones that work best for you. With regular practice, you should observe an improvement in hair growth.
5. Avoid Hot Showers
Showering is one of the most relaxing activities you can do at the end of a long, stressful day. Hot water feels great on the skin, and the steam can help clear your sinuses. However, hot showers are not very good for your hair.
Though hot showers on their own do not cause hair loss, they can worsen stress-related shedding. The heat from the water can cause the follicles to contract, leading to significant hair fall. Heat also leads to dryness, so your hair will become dry and brittle, which could induce breakage.
So if you're noticing more hair in your shower drain than usual, it might be time to switch to cooler showers.
Conclusion
Stress can take a significant toll on your health, and it can manifest in hair loss. To maintain a full head of healthy hair, you must reduce the stress you experience daily.
With a few lifestyle changes like rest, relaxation, mindfulness, and a healthier diet, you can enjoy life and avoid worrying about hair loss!