Tips to control Stress
Stress— we've all felt it at one time or another. But many people feel stress often; some even feel it as a part of their daily lives. Stress has been implicated as a possible cause of—or at least exacerbating some of the symptoms of—numerous conditions, including heart disease, stroke, immune disorders, gastrointestinal problems like irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease, eating problems, diabetes, sleep disturbances, and sexual reproduction dysfunction. Learning to reduce your stress levels can help you live happier, healthier, and maybe even longer.
The National Mental Health Association offers the following tips for reducing or controlling stress:
Be realistic:Don't take on everything; learn to say no. Set realistic goals for yourself. If you are feeling overwhelmed, try eliminating an activity that is not absolutely necessary. Ask yourself, "What really needs to be done? Is the deadline realistic?" No one is perfect, so do not expect perfection from yourself or others. And ask for help if you need it.
Meditate:It only takes about 10–20 minutes to get a benefit from meditating. These few moments of quiet reflection may bring relief from stress as well as increase your tolerance to it. And it is simple to do: sit quietly, listen to peaceful music, relax, and try and think of pleasant things or think of nothing.
Visualize: Take a moment to picture how you can manage a stressful situation more calmly and successfully. This can work with just about anything, whether it is an important presentation at work or moving to a new place or taking an exam. A visual rehearsal can boost self-confidence and help you have a more positive attitude toward a difficult task.
Take one thing at a time:When you start to feel overwhelmed, try taking one task at a time. Make a list of things you need to do. Put the most urgent task at the top. Once you have accomplished it, cross it off and move on to the next one. The positive feeling of crossing things off can help keep you motivated.
Exercise: Regular exercise is a great way to reduce stress, and it benefits the body as well as the mind. Just 20–30 minutes of physical activity a day can do the trick.
Get involved in hobbies: Take a break from the stressors of life and do something you really enjoy. Try gardening, painting, or reading. Schedule time to indulge your interests.
Practice a healthful lifestyle: Eating healthfully will make a difference. Avoiding things like smoking, excessive alcohol, and caffeine will help as well. Make sure you get adequate rest and exercise, and that you balance work and play.
Share your feelings: Talking about things can help you feel better. A conversation with someone can help you relax. And listening to someone else can take the focus off of yourself—something we all need to do every now and then. Stay in touch with your family and friends; don't try to cope alone.
Give in occasionally: You don't always have to be right. Be flexible. Be willing to compromise. If you do, others may meet you halfway. If you know you are right, stand your ground. But be calm and rational. And listen and make allowances for other's opinions.
Go easy with criticism: When you expect too much from yourself or others, you may end up feeling frustrated, let down, and disappointed. Remember that each person is unique and everyone, including yourself, has shortcomings. But each person also has many beautiful qualities to share with the world.
STRESS MANAGEMENTHow to Reduce, prevent, and Cope with StressIf you’re living with high levels of stress, you’re putting your entire well-being at risk. Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional equilibrium, as well as your physical health. It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life.
The goal of stress management is to bring your mind and body back into balance. By adopting a positive attitude, learning healthier ways to cope, and changing the way you deal with stress, you can reduce its hold on your life.
In This Article:
* Taking charge of stress
* Avoid unnecessary stress
* Alter the situation
* Accept the things you can’t change
* Adapt to the stressor
* Stress reduction tips
* Making a stress management plan
* Related links
Taking charge of stressDealing with Stressful Situations
Change the situation * Avoid the stressor.
* Alter the stressor.
Change your reaction * Accept the stressor.
* Adapt to the stressor.
In our frenetic, fast-paced world, many people deal with frequent or even constant stress. The overextended working mother, the hard-charging “Type A” personality, the self-critical perfectionist, the chronic worrier: they’re always wound up, always stretched to the breaking point, always rushing around in a frenzy or juggling too many demands.
Operating on daily red alert comes at the high price of your health, vitality, and peace of mind. But while it may seem that there’s nothing you can do about your stress level—the bills aren’t going to stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day for all your errands, your career will always be demanding—you have a lot more control than you might think. In fact, the simple realization that you’re in control of your life is the foundation of stress management.
Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun—and the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on.
Stress management strategy #1: Avoid unnecessary stressNot all stress can be avoided, and it’s not healthy to avoid a situation that needs to be addressed. You may be surprised, however, by the number of stressors in your life that you can eliminate.
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Learn how to say “no” – Know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, refuse to accept added responsibilities when you’re close to reaching them. Taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe for stress.
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Avoid people who stress you out – If someone consistently causes stress in your life and you can’t turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend with that person or end the relationship entirely.
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Take control of your environment – If the evening news makes you anxious, turn the TV off. If traffic’s got you tense, take a longer but less-traveled route. If going to the market is an unpleasant chore, do your grocery shopping online.
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Avoid hot-button topics – If you get upset over religion or politics, cross them off your conversation list. If you repeatedly argue about the same subject with the same people, stop bringing it up or excuse yourself when it’s the topic of discussion.
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Pare down your to-do list – Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. If you’ve got too much on your plate, distinguish between the “shoulds” and the “musts.” Drop tasks that aren’t truly necessary to the bottom of the list or eliminate them entirely.
How Resilient Are You? Your ability to handle and bounce back from stress depends on many factors, including a:
o Sense of control
o Optimistic attitude
o Strong support system
o Healthy body
o Ability to adapt to change
o Ability to handle unpleasant emotions
o Belief in a higher power or purpose
o Confidence in yourself
o Sense of humor
Stress management strategy #2: Alter the situationIf you can’t avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Figure out what you can do to change things so the problem is avoided in the future. Often, this involves changing the way you communicate and operate in your daily life.
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Express your feelings instead of bottling them up. If something or someone is bothering you, communicate your concerns in an open and respectful way. If you don’t voice your feelings, resentment will build and the situation will likely remain the same.
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Be willing to compromise. When you ask someone to change their behavior, be willing to do the same. If you both are willing to bend at least a little, you’ll have a good chance of finding a happy middle ground.
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Be more assertive. Don’t take a backseat in your own life. Deal with problems head on, doing your best to anticipate and prevent them. If you’ve got an exam to study for and your chatty roommate just got home, say up front that you only have five minutes to talk.
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Manage your time better. Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. When you’re stretched too thin and running behind, it’s hard to stay calm and focused. But if you plan ahead, you can avoid these stress-inducing pitfalls.
Time management tips to reduce stressCreate a balanced schedule All work and no play is a recipe for burnout. Try to find a balance between work and family life, social activities and solitary pursuits, daily responsibilities and downtime.
Don’t over-commit yourself Avoid scheduling things back-to-back or trying to fit too much into one day. All too often, we underestimate how long things will take.
Prioritize tasks Make a list of tasks you have to do, and tackle them in order of importance. Do the high-priority items first. If you have something particularly unpleasant to do, get it over with early. The rest of your day will be more pleasant as a result.
Break projects into small steps If a large project seems overwhelming, make a step-by-step plan. Focus on one manageable step at a time, rather than taking on everything at once.
Delegate responsibility You don’t have to do it all yourself, whether at home, school, or on the job. If other people can take care of the task, why not let them? Let go of the desire to control or oversee every little step. You’ll be letting go of unnecessary stress in the process.
Stress management strategy #3: Accept the things you can’t changeSome sources of stress are unavoidable. You can’t prevent or change stressors such as the death of a loved one, a serious illness, or a national recession. In such cases, the best way to cope with stress is to accept things as they are. Acceptance may be difficult, but in the long run, it’s easier than railing against a situation you can’t change.
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Don’t try to control the uncontrollable. Many things in life are beyond our control— particularly the behavior of other people. Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to react to problems.
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Look for the upside. As the saying goes, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” When facing major challenges, try to look at them as opportunities for personal growth. If your own poor choices contributed to a stressful situation, reflect on them and learn from your mistakes.
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Share your feelings. Talk to a trusted friend or make an appointment with a therapist. Expressing what you’re going through can be very cathartic, even if there’s nothing you can do to alter the stressful situation.
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Learn to forgive. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world and that people make mistakes. Let go of anger and resentments. Free yourself from negative energy by forgiving and moving on.
Stress management strategy #4: Adapt to the stressorIf you can’t change the stressor, change yourself. You can adapt to stressful situations and regain your sense of control by changing your expectations and attitude.
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Reframe problems. Try to view stressful situations from a more positive perspective. Rather than fuming about a traffic jam, look at it as an opportunity to pause and regroup, listen to your favorite radio station, or enjoy some alone time.
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Look at the big picture. Take perspective of the stressful situation. Ask yourself how important it will be in the long run. Will it matter in a month? A year? Is it really worth getting upset over? If the answer is no, focus your time and energy elsewhere.
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Adjust your standards. Perfectionism is a major source of avoidable stress. Stop setting yourself up for failure by demanding perfection. Set reasonable standards for yourself and others, and learn to be okay with “good enough.”
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Focus on the positive. When stress is getting you down, take a moment to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities and gifts. This simple strategy can help you keep things in perspective.
Adjusting Your AttitudeHow you think can have a profound affect on your emotional and physical well-being. Each time you think a negative thought about yourself, your body reacts as if it were in the throes of a tension-filled situation. If you see good things about yourself, you are more likely to feel good; the reverse is also true. Eliminate words such as "always," "never," "should," and "must." These are telltale marks of self-defeating thoughts.
Stress reduction tipsBeyond a take-charge approach and a positive attitude, you can reduce stress in your life by making healthy lifestyle choices and taking care of yourself. If you regularly make time for rest and relaxation, you’ll be in a better place to handle life’s stressors when they inevitably come.
Nurture yourselfDon’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that you forget to take care of your own needs. Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury.
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Set aside relaxation time. Include rest and relaxation in your daily schedule. Don’t allow other obligations to encroach. This is your time to take a break from all responsibilities and recharge your batteries.
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Connect with others. Spend time with positive people who enhance your life. A strong support system will buffer you from the negative effects of stress.
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Do something you enjoy every day. Make time for leisure activities that bring you joy, whether it be stargazing, playing the piano, or working on your bike.
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Keep your sense of humor. This includes the ability to laugh at yourself. The act of laughing helps your body fight stress in a number of ways.
Healthy stress reducers * Go for a walk.
* Spend time in nature.
* Talk to a supportive friend.
* Sweat out tension with a good workout.
* Do something for someone else.
* Write in your journal.
* Take a long bath.
* Play with a pet.
* Work in your garden.
* Get a massage.
* Curl up with a good book.
* Take a yoga class.
* Listen to music.
* Watch a comedy.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle *
Exercise regularly. Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress. Make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week. Nothing beats aerobic exercise for releasing pent-up stress and tension.
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Eat a healthy diet. Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress, so be mindful of what you eat. Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day.
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Reduce caffeine and sugar. The temporary "highs" caffeine and sugar provide often end in with a crash in mood and energy. By reducing the amount of coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugar snacks in your diet, you’ll feel more relaxed and you’ll sleep better.
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Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs may provide an easy escape from stress, but the relief is only temporary. Don’t avoid or mask the issue at hand; deal with problems head on and with a clear mind.
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Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep fuels your mind, as well as your body. Feeling tired will increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally.
Stress Relief Techniques Stress Relief TechniquesYou can control your stress levels with relaxation techniques that evoke the body’s relaxation response, a state of restfulness that is the opposite of the stress response. As you learn and practice these techniques, your stress levels will decrease and your mind and body will become calm and centered.
Read Stress Relief Techniques
Making a stress management planStress management starts with identifying the sources of stress in your life. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. Your true sources of stress aren’t always obvious, and it’s all too easy to overlook your own stress-inducing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Sure, you may know that you’re constantly worried about work deadlines. But maybe it’s your procrastination, rather than the actual job demands, that leads to deadline stress.
Look closely at your habits, attitude, and excuses. Do you explain away stress as temporary (“I just have a million things going on right now”) even though you can’t remember the last time you took a breather? Do you define stress as an integral part of your work or home life (“Things are always crazy around here”) or as a part of your personality (“I have a lot of nervous energy, that’s all”). Do you blame your stress on other people or outside events, or view it as entirely normal and unexceptional? Until you accept responsibility for the role you play in creating or maintaining it, your stress level will remain outside your control.
Start a stress journal
A stress journal can help you identify the regular stressors in your life and the way you deal with them. Each time you feel stressed, keep track of it in your journal.
Write down: * What caused your stress (make a guess if you’re unsure).
* How you felt, both physically and emotionally.
* How you acted in response.
* What you did to cope or feel better.
Putting your worries on paper has a marvelous way of clarifying things. As you keep a daily log, you will begin to see patterns and common themes. Your journal may help you see that you don’t really have that much to worry about, or it may bring overlooked problems to light. Whatever your discoveries, your stress journal should help you establish a plan for moving forward.
Evaluate your coping strategiesThink about the ways you cope with stress. Your stress journal can help you identify them. Are your coping strategies healthy or unhealthy, helpful or unproductive? Unfortunately, many people cope with stress in ways that compound the problem. These coping strategies may temporarily reduce stress, but they cause more damage in the long run.
Unhealthy ways of coping with stress * Smoking
* Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs
* Using sleeping pills or tranquilizers to relax
* Overeating or eating too little
* Sleeping too much
* Procrastinating
* Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities
* Filling up every minute of the day to avoid facing problems
If your methods of coping with stress aren’t contributing to your greater emotional and physical health, it’s time to find ones that do.
Learn positive ways to deal with stress
There are many healthy ways to reduce stress or cope with its effects, but they all require change. You can either change the situation or change your reaction. When deciding which option to choose, it’s helpful to think of the four As: avoid, alter, accept, or adapt.
Since everyone has a unique response to stress, there is no “one size fits all” solution to managing it. No single method works for everyone or every situation, so experiment with different techniques and strategies. Focus on what makes you feel calm and in control.
Hair Loss Tips and Information
Stress and Hair LossWe know that stress either causes or exacerbates a large percentage of all disease. Almost every disease known has been linked to stressful toxins. How does this link work? Stress causes our body to produce toxins, and toxins — those from the food we eat and the environment that surrounds us, as well as those that we produce ourselves when under duress — compromise our well-being. Work and family conflicts, financial pressures, and simply never having enough time are just a few of the many stressors that we face everyday.
The biological changes that take place in relation to the perceived threats are called the stress response. Our bodies can adjust for and counteract the mild forms of stress that we encounter. As a matter of fact, stress can be good if we know how to use it to make things happen positively. Pressure can make us face up to challenges with extraordinary skill and fortitude. However, in the case of extreme, unusual, or long lasting stress — emotional, physical, and chemical — our stress response and ensuing control mechanisms can be quite overwhelming and harmful. The overflow of stress hormones into our system can adversely affect our mind-body physiology, including our hair and skin. When you’re under stress from illness or work, sometimes the circulation in the scalp is so constricted that the hair follicles lose blood supply, which causes them to atrophy and fall out. However, it often grows right back when a person is no longer under extreme stress.
In essence, if we cannot manage the stress in our life, we are working our adrenal glands to exhaustion. This is when skin and hair problems also become apparent, because we are constantly shutting off the blood supply to our heart and lungs, diverting it away from the feeding and nourishing of the hair.
The `why's of hair loss...There are several causes for hair loss. Between the ages of 40-50 women tend to lose about 20 per cent of their hair, though at a slower rate when compared to men. In men, the hereditary pattern of hair fall is observed. Childbirth, contraceptive pills, menopause and related hormonal changes and hysterectomy result in hair fall among women. "Women too complain of diffused hair loss, thinning in the top frontal part or localised baldness, Alopecia. This is due to over and improper use of hair styling and colouring products. Dietary deficiencies and stress are the major lifestyle causes of hair loss today," says beautician Laila Kakade.
And solutions..."To rescue falling hair, take 2-teaspoons of castor oil, 2 teaspoons each of amla and shikakai powder, powdered fenugreek (methi) seeds, 2 teaspoons of neem paste and 2 eggs. Apply the paste to the scalp and hair and leave it on for 45 minutes. Wash off, with a mild shampoo.
For dandruff, massage hair with warm coconut oil and apply the the juice of one lemon to the scalp. Grind 550 grams of methi seeds. Mix in two eggs and apply on the scalp. Leave on for 30 minutes, shampoo with an anti-dandruff shampoo. For a final rinse, take warm water and add juice of one lemon to it. Do this twice a week to wash the hair off dandruff," says Laila. Scalp diseases from bacterial or fungal infection can lead to hair fall. Get medical help for any persistent hair infection and keep you hair clean and dandruff free as a maxim.
Food for the sheen...
What you eat reflects on your hair. "Hair needs proteins, vitamins and minerals, so incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables and milk in your diet," says Laila. Green, leafy vegetables, fresh fruit salads, coconut, lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, yoghurt, almonds and cottage cheese give hair strength and a natural shine. Drink at least eight glasses of water, herbal teas and unsweetened fruit juice. Go easy on tea and coffee. They increase the drainage of water and important nutrients and hamper the absorption of minerals crucial for hair health. Alcohol is antagonistic to several minerals and vitamins that are essential for healthy hair.
Fitness for hair...Exercise regularly. Regular exercise stimulates the circulatory system, encouraging a healthy blood supply to all cells, nourishing and helping in hair regeneration and repair. Be calm and de-stress yourself with yoga," says Laila. The maxim then, a healthy lifestyle with a nutritious diet, regular workouts and a stress free outlook should do wonders to revitalise the crowning glory.
The first step toward health comes with becoming aware of the myriad influences stress has on your mind-body physiology. Here are some tips to destressing:
Meditation (The most scientifically documented technique of meditation is Transcendental Meditation or TM. The benefits of TM have been verified by over 600 scientific research studies across a broad spectrum of health-related issues. The research has shown that individuals who practice TM experience a significant reduction in stress and stress-related disease, and improvements in many other areas of health concern).
Physical activityProper nutrition (see “Diet and Hair Loss” below)
Taking in positive experiences such as these will go a long way toward detoxification on the emotional, mental and physical levels.
Diet and Hair LossAs much as America’s fast food culture wishes life were a box of chocolates, the fact is strong, healthy hair requires more than most vending machines and drive thru’s can offer. Unfortunately, excessive weight isn’t the only thing poor eating habits can cause: thin hair, susceptible to the damaging effects of DHT is just as likely. If you are experiencing hair loss, your diet can play a profound role in reversing this condition. By utilizing the medicinal, healing properties of food, your body can defend itself against balding and hair loss. With a diet rich in vitamins, proteins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and trace elements, your hair will be more capable to withstand the bi-product of testosterone: DHT (the main culprit in male and female pattern baldness).
Studies have shown that diets rich with animal fats cause excessive amounts of testosterone to be released into the blood stream. Similarly, people who ate diets low in fat had significantly less testosterone released in their system. High levels of testosterone directly affect the amount of hair loss a person experiences. Research also indicates that high-fat diets limit vital protein binding globulins. These globulins keep testosterone inactive in the body until it is required. A bloodstream without such globulins means that more testosterone is ready to be transformed by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase (present in hair glands) into DHT. With larger amounts of testosterone circulating in the blood, oil glands can increase activity, thereby providing the system with more harmful DHT. Interestingly enough, areas that frequently have problems with balding contain larger oil glands than areas not associated with balding.
In a frequently noted study, researcher Masui Inaba documented his findings in a report illustrating this phenomenon in action. The study observed higher incidents of hair loss among Japanese men who ate Westernized diets (i.e. far more red meat than their peers). With more animal fat in their diets, Inaba illustrated that the dramatic increase led to an increased incidence of hair loss. His research indicated that higher levels of fat cause oil glands in the hair follicle to grow, thereby producing more DHT and more damage to hair follicles. From a molecular point of view, baldness is seen as a hormonal imbalance. It is widely accepted that the hormone DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), the bi-product in the breakdown of testosterone, is the principal factor in hair loss. As a result, compounds capable of lowering DHT levels are viewed as having a beneficial effect in the treatment of baldness, including dietary restrictions that aid in reducing the effects of DHT.
Although controlling dietary intake is more challenging than using medication, it doesn’t have any negative side effects. Many individuals have reported that changing their diet has resulted in helping to control hair loss, especially when it was done in combination with compounds that limit the production of testosterone DHT.
1. Steering clear of the Western diet is one of the best ways to avoid and defend against baldness. By introducing low-fat protein sources, such as non-fatty fish, chicken, turkey, and soy products as well as complex carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, and beans, into a diet rich in fatty acids can be effective in helping control hair loss. By utilizing a healthy diet in tandem with drug and herbal therapies, individuals can greatly increase the odds of their success.
2. Eat sizeable portions of fruits, vegetables, and beans. Don’t emphasize potatoes, pasta, and bread. These foods quickly turn to glucose, spinning insulin levels out of control as blood sugar levels rise rapidly and fall just as quickly. This compromises the body’s ability to regulate hormone levels in the blood. Such foods should be kept to a minimum.
Harsh Man-Made ShampoosExcessive shampooing, particularly with most commonly used commercial shampoos, can cause the hair to lose minerals such as Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, and Nitrogen. This is due to the harsh chemicals present in most of these products. Not only will they damage your hair, but they can pose a threat to general health. Formaldehyde, which is used in shampoo as a preservative, is often disguised as ‘Quanternium015)’. Aside from being carcinogenic at certain levels, it can prove to be an irritant to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Shampoos may also contain ammonia, coal tar colors, synthetic detergents, ethanol, and artificial fragrances. It’s no wonder allergic reactions to these products are common. Remember, the shampoo you used in your twenties may not be the best choice in your forties. This is because hair, like skin, becomes drier as we age, producing less of the oil which services as a protective shield for the hair shaft.
An excellent hair loss shampoo is Nutrifolica Shampoo which cleans the hair and scalp the natural way: with pure herbal extracts . And it will not clog the hair follicles with gelatin based thickeners. Instead, its essential oils and phyto-revitalizers dramatically increase hair retention and manageability for all types of hair.
Vitamins and Hair LossThe nutritional needs and tolerances of an individual will vary according to body size, metabolism and metabolic type, age, diet, genetics, etc. We advise you seek more information, either through books, a nutritional consultant, or discussions at your local vitamin shop before taking large quantities of the substances mentioned. While foodstuffs containing high levels of vitamins and minerals are safe to experiment with, isolating nutrients require more careful thought.
Vitamin A — a deficiency can create a hardened, thick scalp skin that produces buildup of oil and perspiration below the surface of the skin, with dry hair and flaking dandruff the result. Vitamin A is found in yellow, orange, and dark leafy vegetables.
Vitamin B — A deficiency of B vitamins can create an excessively oily scalp, oily dandruff, baldness, and premature graying. Vitamin B is found in whole grains, beans, seeds, and vegetables.
Vitamin C — Plays a key role in Collagen formation and improves scalp circulation.
Vitamin E — A deficiency symptoms include hair loss and brittle hair. Supplementation with E can improve circulation in the scalp by increasing oxygen uptake.
Minerals — a deficiency in the wide range of minerals, which are vital to healthy hair and skin, can adversely affect the structural makeup of the hair as well as the formation of collagen, the connective tissue found in the skin and throughout the body. Your hair’s roots must receive proper mineral nourishment in order to perform the function of growing and maintaining a healthy head of hair. Once denied these nutrients, the scalp tissues begin to break down, and hair loss results. An example of some of these minerals are Iodine, Zinc, sulfur, Potassium, Iron, and Silica.
For hair loss, stunted growth or thinning of hair, Dr. Andrew Weil recommends supplementing the diet with a source of GLA (gamma linolenic acid), a fatty acid that improves the health of skin, hair, and nails. Your choices are evening primrose oil, black currant oil, and borage oil which are all available in health food stores. Take one or two 500-mg capsules twice a day. It may take six to eight weeks before you notice a change in your rate of hair loss and thickness of new hair. (As a side benefit, you may also notice that you have healthier, cleaner, glowing skin and hair).
We all can get the vitamins and minerals that our bodies require by eating a well-balanced diet, and it is preferable to give your body all of its nourishment from a variety of whole, organic foods. However, given the rushed, fast-food mentality of Western culture, many of us don’t get these recommended amounts. As a result, many health care providers recommend taking a high-quality vitamin and supplement to make up for any inadequacies of diet and product our bodies and hair.
Causes of Temporary Hair Loss * Physical stress: surgery, illness, anemia, rapid weight change. The hair loss usually occurs 3 months after the event that caused it and may take 3 months after the event ends to resume.
* Emotional stress: mental illness, death of a family member. Again, the hair loss usually occurs 3 months after the event that caused it and may take 3 months after the event ends to resume.
* Thyroid abnormalities.
* Medications: High does of Vitamin A — Blood pressure medications — Gout medications.
* Hormonal causes: pregnancy or birth control pills. Hair loss frequently occurs when the body’s hormonal levels are noticeable altered. This can occur due to pregnancy, or going on or off birth control pills. This type of hair loss is usually temporary.
* Diet: Women appear to be more subject to hair loss due to dietary reasons than men. Low iron levels are the most common dietary reason women experience hair loss, although other vitamins and minerals may be involved. Also, the intake of a diet high in animal fat directly leads to the increased incidence of balding because the higher levels of animal fat cause the oil glands in the hair follicles to grow, leading to more DHT production and therefore more damage to the hair follicles.
* Hair shaft breakage is when part of a hair breaks off, but the growing end remains in the follicle and continues to grow. Hair shaft breakage results in thinner hair, and can be caused by excessive styling, chemicals, sun, and chlorine in swimming pools.
* If your hair loss is due to a short-term event such as stress, pregnancy, and the taking of certain medications in these situations, hair will grow back when the event has passed. Substances (including hormones), medications, and diseases can cause a change in the hair growth and shedding phases and in their durations. When this happens, synchronous growth and shedding occur. Once the cause is dealt with, hairs go back to their random pattern of growth and shedding, and your hair loss problem stops.
