True Health Project

Does stress affect your hair?

Stress. Everyday, we face this it. We cannot help but be affected. What to do? “Long-term stress – the kind that stems from constant anxiety about the bad economy or your unhappy job situation- can cause an increase in cortisol hormone levels,” says Amy Wechsler, MD, author of The Mind-Beauty Connection, who specializes in psychodermatology, the science of how emotions affect your image.* Get a small mirror and one-by-one let’s take a look at some telltale signs of the effects of stress on you.  Our body was created to adopt and when it can’t it tells us. Sit down and try to listen what your skin is trying to tell you.

“My face. I have a zit. Hey, this has been around for weeks. Why does it take a long time before it dries up? Wow. Look at these circles under my eyes. I can’t say that I’m sleeping more or less but why is it a bit puffy? I don’t remember crying.”

• Zit that won’t exit. Stress induces the cortisol hormones making our skin’s natural defense weak, thus bacteria are much easier to enter and plug our pores. Incessant pressure from work among other things in our life compromises our immune system making it more difficult to clear these acne.

• Nature finds added to your cleanser in fixing skin problems: A teaspoon of brown sugar – to slough off dull, dead cells. Be sure to use gentle circular strokes. A few drops of natural lemon juice – to kill the bacteria and detoxify your complexion. Few drops of aloe extract – a natural healing ingredient to help soften the skin.

• Tiredness that shows in the eyes. Anxiety constricts your blood vessels which slows circulation, which can lead to fluid build up under your eyes.

• Get a potato from your fridge or a cucumber. Slice them and make at least two pieces that would fit the circle of your eyes. Then go lie down, relax and put the cold veggie unto your eyes. The cold will dilate the blood vessels to aid the slow circulation step up a little bit.

“My body. Mom just changed the bedsheets. I just took a bath. I applied my lotion. Then why do my arms and legs feel itchy? Even my neck. Now, where did this soreness on my shoulder and lower back came from?”

• Weird rash. If this doesn’t go away for days, you may have mild eczema. Many times, these goes unnoticed but stress do make them worst.

• Avoid using products with detergents and opt for more free natural, fragrance-free lotions. You can use an oatmeal and honey body wash to reduce inflammation. If itching persists, you might need to see a physician.

• Aches and pains. If your work constitutes sitting down facing a computer or poring over some articles or materials, the most likely places that would hurt would be the shoulders and the lower back.

• A massage would be the best solution for those tense muscles. You can also take a hot shower and angle the shower head so the water hits just above your butt. The heat helps relaxing the muscles, thus reducing pain.

“My hair. Shampooed, checked. Used a conditioner, checked. Rinsed it well, checked. Everyday, checked. Am I using a wrong conditioner or shampoo? My hair feels oily and frizzy. Shocks. Look at those hair on the floor. Are those mine?”

• The resultant frizz and oiliness of your hair is caused by inflammation at the hair follicle that is usually caused by stress. When the hair follicles are inflamed, it cannot absorb the nutrients that makes your hair soft. You might also have a nervous habit of twisting your hair which further weakens the hair.

• Tie back hair in a loose bun or at least pin it away from your face so your tendency to twirl is lesser. Eat and mash avocado. Yes. Aside from vitamin A that improves vision, it also has vitamin E that restores the natural shine of your hair. Mash half an avocado in a bowl and apply the mixture to your unwashed hair from the roots to the ends, then leave on for 20 minutes. Afterwards, shampoo and condition as normal. Your hair will be shinier than ever.**

These suggested solutions are within our reach and all natural. It lessens our anxiety from buying expensive products to alleviate our skin problems thereby increasing our capacity to fight off stress.

Photo by StarMama