Hair loss can occur because of heredity, age, medical conditions and even stress. Too much stress can cause your hair to fall out, stall its growth and maybe even lead you to pull out your own strands. Exercise can help you deal with stress and may lessen hair loss caused by it, but it may not have an effect on other types of loss. See your doctor about your hair loss concerns.Stress and Hair Loss
Three types of hair loss can be associated with stress. One is alopecia areata, in which your white blood cells attack your follicles, causing the hair to fall out and stop growing. Emotional and physical stress can also lead to telogen effluvium, which forces your hair into a “resting phase” and leads to loss. Finally, trichotillomania is a condition in which you compulsively pull out your hair. It is often a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, tension and other negative feelings.
Benefits of Exercise
Almost all exercises, from aerobics to weightlifting to yoga, can help you deal with stress, thereby helping stop resulting hair loss. Regular exercise increases endorphins, the neurotransmitters that make you feel happy and more at ease. It can also help you relax and stop focusing on the negative aspects of your life, calming your mind and body. Additionally, exercise improves your mood and can enhance your sense of control over your body and life.
Limitations of Exercise
Exercise can be a great way to calm down and reduce stress, but there are certain types of hair loss that it is not likely to help. Balding and thinning hair can be caused by a major illness, crash diets, certain medications, autoimmune conditions and fungal infections. If you are genetically predisposed to losing hair as you age, exercise will probably not put a stop to this. However, being active and fit can help you stay calm and healthy, which can keep stress from making your hair loss worse.
Additional Tips
Talk to your doctor about the type of hair loss you are experiencing, as well as any other symptoms, and she/he can give you guidance on both treatments and at-home solutions you can try. Also talk to her about adding regular exercise to your life. Additionally, eating a nutritious, balanced diet can help keep you healthy, as well as prevent hair loss associated with malnourishment or crash diets. If you experience extreme or sudden hair loss or pain, redness or itching on your scalp, seek medical attention.
