Are you suffering from hair loss? If it primarily affects the top and front of the scalp, you may have male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness, also called androgenic alopecia, is the most common type of hair loss in men. It is estimated that more than 50 percent of all men over the age of 50 gets affected by male pattern baldness to some extent. It usually follows a pattern of receding hairline. Some men may get a single bald spot, while other may have the classic M-shaped hairline, with receding corners and a longer widow’s peak area. In some men, the hairlines may continue to recede until all or most of the hair is gone. More commonly, male pattern baldness occurs in middle-aged and older men. But it also can occur at any age. One main factor that contributes to male pattern baldness is genetics or having a family history of baldness. Therefore, men who have close relatives with male pattern baldness are at a higher risk. The risk is even higher when their relatives are on the maternal side of the family. Male pattern baldness is associated with the presence of androgenic hormones such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). There’s no known way to prevent male pattern baldness. However, there is a theory that stress may cause hair loss by increasing the production levels of sex hormones in the body. So, reducing stress may help to reduce hair loss to a certain extend. Here are some tips to manage stress –
Breathe in, breathe out: Breathing is a great way to control your anxiety, stress or emotions. Doctors agree too. How to do it- Sit up straight and close your eyes. Then slowly inhale and feel the breath going from your abdomen to your head. Reverse the same process through exhaling. When you feel stressed, do this for five minutes a day. It will help you feel relaxed, stay calm and more focused.
Meditate: Meditation can alter the brain’s neural pathways, making it more resilient to stress. Just sit up straight, close your eyes and focus your attention on one thing. You can recite any mantra, may be a simple OM, while slowly inhaling and exhaling.
Listen to music you love: Especially slow, quiet classical music can have a tremendously relaxing effect on our minds and bodies. It can quiet your mind and relax your muscles, while releasing the stress of the day.
Laugh out Loud: Studies have shown that laughter can relieve stress and make you happy. So, laugh out loud often to get rid of stress.
Reduce caffeine intake: How many cups of coffee you have in a day? Better you keep it as low as you can because researchers say excessive caffeine intake can make you jittery and increase anxiety. Replace your coffee with relaxing teas such as green tea or lemon tea.
Practise yoga: Yoga is highly recommended as an effective remedy to stress. Not just this ancient a mind-body practice can help reduce stress, but it is known to improve your blood pressure and heart health. There are many yoga positions that can help you feel relax and manage stress. Try a few today.