How Can One Promote Hair Growth With a Healthy Lifestyle?

Let’s be honest, we live in chaotic times. You step out of the house, and there is dust, pollution, traffic, noise, a deluge of things that are not good for the body or our peace of mind. Added to that is work, and all kinds of stress. To draw a balance and have a healthy lifestyle is more essential today, than it has ever been.

 And the temptations are numerous – that extra slice of pizza, another glass of wine, lying on a couch for hours with Netflix. Having a balanced healthy lifestyle is hard, but it is vital for our well being, and healthy skin and good hair.

 Here we will talk about some healthy habits to keep your mane happy – 

 1. Eat your way to healthy hair Hair is made of protein, and ensuring you have enough protein in your diet is crucial for keeping your hair strong. Lack of protein in your diet means your hair will be dry, brittle and weak. Low protein diets are associated with hair loss. 

 Low levels of iron can cause anemia, which can lead to a disruption of the nutrient supply to the follicle, resulting in shedding. 

 In general, adding food rich in protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, B5 and B7 is extremely good for healthy hair.These nutrients can be found in egg whites, lean meats, nuts, beans, leafy greens, and fish. Things to avoid are excess of caffeine, sugar and alcohol. 

 2. Exercise It has been established that exercise is good for us in so many ways. It helps us stay fit, boosts our immunity and keeps diseases at bay. For hair, the sweating from exercise helps unclog hair follicles, and boosts hair growth. It also stimulates the blood flow to our skin and scalp, bringing the essential nourishment in the form of nutrients and oxygen to hair. Exercise is also beneficial in relieving stress, which is a factor for hair loss.

While we all recognize the benefits of exercise, but it is tough to maintain a routine. The key is to make some form of exercise an essential part of our everyday and assign a time for it. While early mornings are the best time, even if you squeeze in as little as half an hour every evening, and do it consistently, it will do wonders for your hair and skin. 

 3. Take care of your scalp Healthy hair flourishes on a healthy scalp. Hair follicles get natural oils from glands on the scalp, so if your scalp is unhealthy or dry, the hair will be dry and unhealthy as well. 

 To keep your scalp in good shape it is important to keep it clean to avoid dandruff. Wash it every 2-3 days with a mild shampoo depending on how much you sweat, the weather and the amount of dust and pollutants you come in contact with. Brush it lightly atleast once a day. And if you have dandruff, and itchiness, use a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo. 

 4. Get your zzz’s The famed ‘beauty sleep’ as we call it, is extremely important. If you are not getting enough snooze time, the blood will not flowing efficiently. 

 Lack of sleep reduces the body’s ability to repair and regenerate, effecting hair growth. It results in hair loss also.

 One of the major cause is sleep also.

 Sleep deprivation can wreak havoc on the immune system, which can lead to Telogen Effluvium, or hair loss caused by stress. Getting enough sleep is vital not only for the health of our hair, but also for our mental and physical well-being. 

 5. No smoking Research says that substances like nicotine and carbon monoxide – which are found in cigarettes – restrict the flow of blood and oxygen to hair follicles, not allowing nutrients to reach the scalp, resulting in hair fall. There are numerous reasons to quit smoking, and hair fall is definitely one of them. 

 6. Avoid the sun and hot showers Hair needs to be protected from the sun just like our skin does. Often people load upon sunscreen but forget about hair. It can make the hair dry and brittle. For people spending a significant time outdoors and living in sunnier climes, you can wear a hat or scarf to protect your hair.

 Washing hair with very hot water is also not advisable. It strips the hair off natural oils, which can lead to the scalp overproducing oil that can damage your hair. Warm water is ideal for washing hair.

 The state of our hair and skin reflect the state of our overall health. Making healthier lifestyle choices will not just help your hair, but your general well being. The above content is contributed by Dr. Sangay Bhutia from Hair and Senses one of the leading clinic of hair transplant in Delhi.