Healthy Hair Starts from the Inside
The state of your hair is a good indicator of your overall health. Thinning hair can show lack of essential vitamins and minerals or even the presence of stress and other mental health issues. To get healthy hair, we have to start from the inside – being mindful of what we consume, what we expose ourselves to and how much movement and rest we get.
Today, we’ll look at four simple habits you can incorporate into your lifestyle that will help you grow healthier hair.
1. Eating a Balanced Diet
It’s no surprise that eating a balanced diet comes first on our list. You are what you eat and the healthier your diet is, the healthier your hair and general wellbeing will be. Eating balanced meals every day does not have to be complicated or expensive. Ensure you include the major food groups (proteins, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, and fats and oils) in all your meals.
If you’re in a situation where you lack a certain vitamin or mineral, you can use supplements to boost them. Remember that supplements are not a replacement for the vitamins and minerals you need, so it’s important to still consume foods high in vitamins and minerals. Always consult your doctor if you intend to start taking supplements.
2. Getting Enough Rest
Sleep allows your body to rebuild your tissues and flush out toxins from your hard working brain. In fact, without enough sleep, you can develop many health complications like heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.
Now, when it comes to your hair health, sleep enables us to synthesize proteins and hormones that help in hair growth. Without enough rest, you might find your hair thinning out, especially at the roots. So to counteract this, ensure you get enough rest – at least 7 hours a day.
3. Incorporating Movement
Our bodies were meant to move. The very structure of our bones and muscles shows that without movement, we will waste away. Apart from strengthening bones and building muscles, exercise promotes blood flow to all our organs, bringing in essential nutrients, oxygen and hormones that sustain our lives. In a similar way, exercise brings more blood flow to our scalp which nourishes hair follicles, promoting healthy growth.
You can incorporate movement by taking 30-minute walks, doing simple calisthenics, or even doing some heavy household chores. With enough exercise, you will see benefits beyond healthy hair growth. Exercise is especially important for your mental health.
4. Practicing Mindfulness
According to Mindful.org, mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where you are and what you’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around you.
With mindfulness, the goal is not to completely clear your mind. It is to observe your thoughts and feelings, recognise them and not react to them. Mindfulness is a great tool for counteracting stress. I think we all know the detrimental effects of stress on mental health and general wellbeing. When it comes to your hair, stress has a way of exacerbating hair loss. It puts your follicles at a prolonged resting phase, preventing new hair growth, resulting in hair loss.
Because May is Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s take active steps to reduce stress by practicing mindfulness, exercising and reaching out to a mental health professional for support.
These simple habits will not only promote healthy hair growth, it will also boost your overall wellness and wellbeing. To know more about your hair and what it needs, take our quiz on Glisen.me or book a consultation with our hair experts.