can stress affect your hair?

we’re now well and truly over a month into isolation and between finding new things to talk about with your family, debating with your cat if Carol Baskin killed her husband and deciding what sweatpants to wear each day, it’s not unusual if you’re finding your stress levels are higher than normal.

just like your skin and your mood, your hair can also be affected when stress takes over. but with a few small changes to your daily routine, you can ensure your locks are given a fighting chance to keep the effects of stress at bay. 

oh and the best part - these changes can all be done in the comfort of your own home 🙌🏼

you are what you eat 

fun fact, your hair cells are the second fastest growing cells in your entire body. but despite how important we might think hair is, our bodies have actually been programmed to prioritise the health and function of more important organs (who would have thought right?!). 

this means that when high levels of stress are present, coupled with a poor diet, your hair is one of the first things to start showing signs of damage and loss.

according to hair gurus, Philip Kingsly there are a few food ‘must do’s’ that will help to ensure your locks are getting the nutrients they need to remain fabulous and on fleek. 

these include: 

• eating breakfast every day 
• drinking plenty of water
• ensuring you’re getting enough iron and protein in your meals
• giving yourself enough vitamin c

exercise, not extra fries

yep you guessed it, exercise is not only great for reducing stress levels, but it can actually encourage healthy hair growth too (and no, walking to the fridge to get your 10th snack of the day is not counted as exercise 😅). 

you might be wondering what burpees and hair have in common. well, taking part in regular exercise helps to promote good circulation throughout the body, allowing your blood to deliver vital nutrients to your hair follicles to ensure healthy growth. 

but you need to also keep in mind that too much of a good thing can actually cause more harm than good. overworking yourself when it comes to working out could lead to the development of a scalp condition called Telogen Effluvium where hair follicles ‘shut down’ and hair begins to thin or fall out. 

At the end of the day, as with most things in life it comes down to finding the perfect balance that works for you and your lifestyle. 

the hair necessities 

just like Charmed wouldn't be Charmed without all three of the sisters, caring for your hair wouldn't be complete without a solid hair care routine in place. 

from ensuring you regularly visit your hairdresser for a trim, to minimising damage by being more conscious of how often you use heat styling tools, these are all little steps you can take to start you on a path to healthier locks. 

ensuring that you’re also getting your hair mask on every week is going to not only repair and rejuvenate your hair, but it will also prevent your hair from any further damage, so really it’s a win-win. 

while it might feel a little overwhelming at first to start incorporating these changes in your everyday routine, the long term benefits that you’re going to see through your investment in your hair will be 100% worth it. 

it is also important to remember that some hair issues are a result of a deeper issue and it’s always best you seek advice from your doctor about diagnosis and treatment. 

not sure where to start? check out our 10 minute hair mask here.