No matter how amazing you feel in the morning, the first sign of hair fall can easily change your mood. What can be more upsetting than seeing handfuls of hair on your pillow, hair brush and bathroom floor.
Hair loss is a serious matter for both men and women. For men, there is a large amount of scientific evidence that suggest the impact of hair loss on their confidence and self-esteem. A recent study involving 1,500 men in the UK reported that a third of the balding respondents admitted their hair loss affected their confidence. Nearly 40% confessed they felt envious of men with a full head of hair.
Hair is believed to be a woman’s crowning glory. However, 40% of women suffer from hair loss, according to the American Hair Loss Association. Hair loss in women can be as devastating as balding in men.
There is a wide array of hair growth solutions in the market. To avoid the side effects of hair loss treatments, you may explore natural options. Here are 10 exercises you can do to boost your hair.
Weekly Cardio Exercises
One of the possible causes of hair loss in men and women is stress, which can disrupt the hair growth cycle. The sooner you are able to heal from physical or emotional trauma, the easier for hair loss to correct itself. Relieve stress by doing at least 150 minutes of moderate cardio exercise each week. You can try the treadmill or elliptical trainers. You can also do a 75-minute vigorous cardio routine per week.
Regular Rubbing of Nails
Probably the easiest scalp exercise for hair growth is the balayam yoga involving the rubbing of nails. Simply curl the fingers of both of your hands inwards towards your palm. Rub the nails of your hands vigorously for five minutes, leaving out the thumbnails.
You can do this anytime and anywhere. According to yoga teacher Baba Ramdev, this routine allows the roots of hair follicles in the fingernails to pump energy to your scalp. Rubbing your nails regularly prevents hair loss and cures dandruff and hair discoloration.
Yoga Pose and Breathing Combo
Yoga is a holistic workout that strengthens the body, mind and spirit. There are more than a hundred forms of yoga and some are great in hair growth stimulation. The skull shining breathing technique involves focusing on breathing. While on a standing or sitting position, concentrate on a point at the end of your nose then slowly inhale and exhale out of your nostrils. Keep your spine erect and clench your abdominal muscles during this breathing exercise. Doing this yoga exercise for five minutes each day brings oxygen to the scalp.
Rabbit Yoga Pose (Sasangasana)
Yoga for hair growth not only helps you address your hair loss problems. It also tones your muscles and relaxes your mind. The rabbit pose encourages blood flow to the head, which stimulates hair growth. Do a child pose by sitting with your knees on the floor. Place both of your hands at the back and hold your knees, then slowly place the crown of your head on the floor. Inhale and lift your hips up. Roll back to the child pose as you exhale. Relax and repeat for five minutes.
Downward Dog Yoga (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
The popular downward dog pose is arguably the best exercise for hair growth. This yoga pose boosts blood flow to the head and stimulates the nerves of the scalp, helping improve hair health. To do this, lie on your stomach with your limbs and legs straight. Press your palms to the ground, push your hips up and stand on your toes like an upside-down “V.” Remember to straighten your spine. Repeat.
Diamond Yoga Pose (Vajrasana)
Hair loss is not always hereditary. Assess your lifestyle choices as you may be guilty of doing things that contribute to your bald spots. To help you with your condition, do the diamond pose as regularly as you can. Perform this tension-relieving exercise by sitting on the floor with your back erect and your legs stretched. Now, fold your legs under your thighs, then place both your hands on your upper thighs. Close your eyes, breathe slowly and relax.
Stand Forward Bend Yoga Pose (Uttanasana)
The key tip for maintaining healthy hair is to have a healthy body and mind. De-stress and decompress as often as you can. The stand forward bend pose allows proper circulation of blood to your head and face. This pumps energy to the scalp and relieves the mind of anxiety and tensions. To do this, stand with your legs, then bend to reach your knees, feet or toes. Slowly inhale through your nostrils. While breathing out, bend your hands forward until you touch the floor. Inhale deeply and slowly stand back straight. Relax and repeat.
Fish yoga pose (Matsyasana)
Explore natural ways to grow healthy hair by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Aside from a balanced diet, it is essential to engage in physical activities regularly. The fish pose pumps oxygen to the body’s respiratory organs and promotes proper blood circulation. This helps in ensuring hair growth. Lie down on your yoga mat with both your hands at the back of your thighs. Keep your palms downwards. Slowly pull your upper body while dropping your head backwards until the crown of your head touches the mat. Breathe deeply. Repeat.
Raised Feet Yoga Pose (Uttanpadasana)
Doing the raised feet pose is an effective technique for faster hair growth. To do this, lie on the floor with both your arms at the side. Keep your palms downward facing the floor. Slowly raise your legs, at a 45- to 60-degree angle for a minute or more. This exercise allows proper blood circulation to your head, helping hair follicles to regrow.
Meditation and other breathing exercises
Hair loss is an important concern that you should be dealing with the help of professionals and trustworthy people. You can help a family or friend experiencing hair thinning or baldness by downplaying the negative picture and by avoiding premature positivity. Explore available options such as hair transplantation. Natural alternatives include meditation and breathing exercises that reduce stress.
Hair loss is a serious issue but it is not without remedies. Know the available treatments by consulting professionals. It is also highly recommended that you attack one major cause of hair shedding: stress.