If your hairbrush is starting to resemble a small woodland creature, or there are more than just a few strands stuck in the plug hole, don’t worry. All is not lost. In a world where inboxes overflow, calendars are double-booked, and sleep feels like a luxury, your current hair situation might be waving a silent white flag. Stress could be a cause.
We often discuss how stress can steal our peace of mind — but did you know it can also contribute to hair loss, robbing us of our precious hair?
How Stress is Causing Hair Loss and What You Can Do About It
The Link Between Stress and Hair Loss
According to the NHS, stress is one of the primary causes of hair loss. Higher-than-average stress levels meddle with your body’s natural rhythms, especially the hair growth cycle.
When cortisol, the infamous stress hormone, surges for too long, it can prompt your hair follicles to enter early retirement, halting hair growth —a phenomenon known as telogen effluvium.
Recognising Stress-Induced Hair Loss
Unlike hereditary hair loss, stress-induced shedding doesn’t follow a neat pattern. Instead, it causes thinning throughout the entire scalp. If you’re seeing more hair clogging the drain or your ponytail looks noticeably thinner, it could be a sign that stress is taking a toll — and it might be worth discussing with a mental health professional.
This handy guide from Oxford Online Pharmacy can help you identify some signs and symptoms of stress-related hair loss.
Nutritional Deficiencies and Hair Health
Stress doesn’t just mess with your hair. It also takes a toll on your appetite. Between skipped meals and comfort food binges, essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and biotin often fall by the wayside. And why are they important? These nutrients play a key role in supporting the strength and health of your hair.
The solution? Incorporating hair loss vitamins may help replenish essential nutrients that support hair regrowth. Supplemental vitamins can make a significant difference when combined with a balanced, health-conscious diet and adequate hydration. They all work to stimulate regrowth on dormant follicles (basically, the ones that have weakened but haven’t died out entirely).
Hormonal Imbalances Triggered by Stress
Stress can disrupt your hormonal balance, particularly oestrogen and progesterone, which are key to regulating your hair growth cycle. When these hormone levels fluctuate due to ongoing stress, hair follicles may shrink, leading to increased shedding and slower regrowth. Many people also turn to natural supplements for hormonal balance to help support healthier cycles and reduce the impact of stress on their hair.
Practical Strategies to Combat Stress-Related Hair Loss
Mindfulness, gentle movement and prioritising quality sleep can help reduce cortisol levels and restore harmony to your hair’s natural cycle. The NHS offers practical tips for managing stress and coping with hair loss, including breathing exercises and seeking professional support.
Conclusion
The bottom line? If you’ve been doom-searching for how to fix thinning or shedding hair at some point, you might want to take a step back, relax, and start taking it easy for a while. Do whatever de-stresses you. Nourish your body, calm your mind, and consider supporting your scalp health from the inside out.
Are you wondering how stress might be contributing to your hair loss and what you can do to stop it?
*Disclosure: Collaborative Post
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