There is something that we all can do (to some degree) to help with our hair health and growth.
Do you know what it is?
Exercise.
If you’re truly serious about cultivating a healthy hair care regimen, then exercise has to be part of it.
I often find that people are using the right products, eating healthy, but are missing a key ingredient to a healthy hair care regimen: exercise.
But here’s the thing: Consistent exercise is associated with all types of benefits for your hair.
So are you ready to get started?
#1) It Helps Your Blood Circulate & Encourages Hair Growth
Getting good blood circulation is very important.
When you have good blood circulation it keeps your brain sharp, your heart healthy, and actually heals wounds faster.
But that’s not all.
Good blood circulation is also good for your hair.
In fact, one study found that getting blood circulation in your scalp has been associated with reducing hair loss.
When you exercise it helps blood move to your scalp and help slow hair loss.
You can get your blood circulating with some good cardio exercises such as: walking, jogging, or aerobics, to name a few.
The good news is that cardio exercise helps to also strengthen your heart and lungs.
#2) It Reduces Stress Levels
Chronic stress can have a lot of negative impacts on your body.
When you are stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol.
Cortisol can cause other hormones in your body to change but also increase the balding process.
That’s not it.
Too much stress can also push hair follicles into the “resting phase” and can result in your hair actually falling out.
The good news is that when you exercise it can help to reduce your stress levels and lessen the amount of cortisol that your body releases. With good blood flow to your scalp, it can help with having healthy hair and hair growth.
Exercise releases a positive hormone endorphins which which helps to reduce pain and stress and improve your ability to sleep.
#3) It Helps You Sleep (Better)
There is a lot of good research on the relationship between exercise and sleep.
Exercise has been shown to improves the quality and length of your sleep.
Good sleep can result in you feeling more rested and rejuvenated.
But that’s not it.
As exercise helps you to sleep better, it also has a good impact on your hair.
This is how it works: Your body needs sleep in order for protein synthesis to take place. Also, when you are sleep your body releases growth hormones that are good for your hair and overall health.
However, when you are sleep, be sure to wrap your hair with a satin scarf and to sleep on a satin pillowcase to help your hair retain its moisture.
Are you ready to start exercising?
Check with your doctor first, but if you can, it may be good to work up to 30 minutes of cardio per day.
Brandelyn Green is the Founder of VoiceOfHair, a platform to help women of color find the best hair care products, regimens and hairstyles! Since starting VoiceOfHair in 2014 she has grown the social media platform to over 1MM+ on Instagram and Facebook. As a natural who is also a salon goer, she wanted to create a platform where people could find the best products, hairstylists, advice and trends.
