How to Stress Less and Reduce Hair Loss

by Viviscal Hair Expert on November 13th, 2020
Are you seeing hair loos?

Originally published on June 3rd, 2013

It is the collection of strands clinging to your pillow, or the stringy mass swirling down the drain during a shower: It is called telogen effluvium, and it is the second most common form of hair loss according to the American Hair Loss Association. Following a major emotional or physical upset, heightened stress levels can trigger as much as 70 percent of your hair to enter a resting phase, or telogen phase, causing noticeable hair loss to occur a few months later. The good news is that it is not chronic; it is preventable, and it can even be reversed by following an effective stress-relief regimen. The following tips are encouraged to keep your cool, re-grow hair, and get your life back.
1. Get Connected
According to an article published by Matrix Medical Communications, positive social support of high quality can enhance resilience to stress while improving one’s ability to adapt in the face of adversity. Talking with friends or family promotes stress relief by providing comfort, and your peers can even provide new insights about what (or who) is stressing you out as well as how to eliminate those stressors. Do not cheat by hopping on Facebook, either; pick up the phone, and schedule a face-to-face.

Defeating Stress & Hair Loss

2. Just Breathe

“Ah.” That’s the sound of a deep breath, which could be just the thing your hair needs to get growing again. Deep, slow breaths from the diaphragm stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which relaxes the mind and body, according to Alice Boyes, Ph.D. of Psychology Today. Try progressive muscle relaxation, which alleviates stress and anxiety, or opt for simple mediation techniques. Yoga combines breathing and social support benefits as most classes are conducted in a group setting. Different yoga poses relieve tension in different ways; Child’s Pose, Eagle Pose, and Corpse Pose are especially effective for stress reduction.

3. Eat Your Stress Away

stress-brush-hair-lossWhen stress eats away at you, eat back; and try some stress-fighting wonder foods for size. Blueberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, which purges the body of the stress hormone cortisol. Almonds contain high amounts of vitamin E, which fights stress-inducing free radicals. They are also brimming with stress-reducing vitamin B2, zinc and magnesium. Do not skimp on green veggies like asparagus and broccoli, which according to Better Homes and Gardens contributor Dorie Eisenstein are high in mood-stabilizing folic acid. Both encourage the production of serotonin, a “happy” brain chemical that turns sour moods into positive ones.

4. Enjoy a Scalp Massage

The relaxation benefits of a massage are evident, but what about the hair growth-enhancing benefits of a scalp massage? Scalp massages stimulate blood flow to the skin’s surface, instantly feeding hair follicles. For many, massages are mini luxuries and are not accessible on a daily basis. Give yourself a daily scalp massage at no cost. Use your fingertips to make small circles, beginning at the hairline and working your way inward, towards the top of the scalp. Just 10 minutes a day can significantly increase blood flow to the scalp, promoting stress relief and faster hair follicle growth.

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