We all know how beneficial regular exercise is for your mood, overall physical health, and general wellbeing, but what’s less talked about is just how good it is for maintaining a healthy head of men’s hair. While (as much as we wish it could) exercise won’t instantly produce shiny, thicker hair, a healthy and stress-free lifestyle can dramatically improve the appearance of your hair and even prevent premature thinning and breakage. A healthier diet, cardio, stress relief, and even sweating regularly are all great ways to keep your men’s hair strong and thick – and luckily for us men in San Diego, that’s easy to do with such great weather all year!
Stress Reducer
Stress is a major cause of a wide variety of health issues, and hair loss is among the most common. Sedentary jobs and busy schedules along with lack of exercise often come with stress, which can negatively affect your hair follicles and cause skin conditions that lead to hair thinning and loss.
Regular exercise can significantly reduce stress levels by producing more endorphins and serotonin, a neurotransmitter that acts in a variety of functions in your body that are quite helpful:
- Reduces depression, regulates anxiety and improves mood
- Heal wounds and maintain bone health
- Regulates appetite to prevent stress-eating
Sweat = Natural Exfoliation
All-natural products are a great way to go, and it doesn’t get more natural than your own sweat! Sweat acts as a natural cleanser, removing dirt and contaminants through your pores. That action directly impacts the production of sebum, that oily substance secreted by your skin glands (sebum from your scalp helps to prevent your hair from drying out). Additionally, sweating keeps your sebum cleaner and healthier, which in turn helps maintain the cleanliness and health of your hair.
Improved Blood Circulation
Improved blood circulation is hugely beneficial to relieving stress and tension throughout your body. While cardio never fails at getting your heart pumping and your sweat pouring, yoga also forces you to stretch the limits of your comfort zone while increasing flexibility and blood circulation. Certain inverted poses can get the blood flowing to the top of your head, improving the supply of oxygen and nutrients to hair cells.
Healthier Eating
A healthy, nutritious diet is the yin to exercise’s yang. One can’t live without the other, and your hair will seriously benefit from better eating habits. Here are a few essential elements to include in your diet for strong and healthy hair.
Protein: One of the key components of your diet for healthy hair needs to be lean protein. Protein, along with all vitamins and minerals, plays a role in the development of hair. In fact, a strand of hair is mostly made up of protein, which indicates that your body needs enough protein intake to continue to produce hair. If your diet lacks healthy, low-fat protein, this could be a reason why you have some or a significant amount of hair loss. It can also cause hair thinning when no other cause is evident.
Essential Fatty Acids: Foods rich in Omega-3s are vital for healthy skin, hair, and nails. These include fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, along with flaxseed oil, walnuts, and almonds.
Iron: Lack of iron, also known as iron-deficiency anemia, can have a direct impact on hair loss. Iron is required for your body to produce hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen to your tissues. Hair follicles and roots need a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood, and if iron levels dip, anemia can interfere with the nutrients your hair receives.
Vitamins B & D: In terms of vitamins that directly impact the health of your hair, you don’t have to look further than the B’s. Vitamin B’s come from different sources, but in general, they help to maintain cell health and give you energy. Look particularly for Vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid. Vitamin D directly impacts hair growth, also, so be sure to get enough sun and eat foods rich in Vitamin D.
Coming into 18/8 San Diego for regular haircuts and trims will also keep your hair looking healthy and free from split ends and excess dryness. Make an appointment online or give us a call at (858) 914-5418.
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