How Do You Care For Your Hair During Highstress..

[ballet_bun]

times in your life?

What are the DO's and DON'T's of Haircare during highstress periods. I don't know if I should even bother relaxing right now, or just hold off for awhile! What are good supplements to take in your opinion?

Ballet Bun

 

[Sweetyb]

So, what do you mean by high stress? Do you mean no time to care for your hair, or no time to care for the health of your whole body, let alone your hair? For me personally, during this whole week of finals (it's o-v-a!) I made sure that my hair was in twists a week before, knowing that I would definitely have no time to give to my hair. Maybe finding something low-maintenance (like braids) to do to your hair would help?

 

[Shawn]

Ballet Bun-- If, indeed, you wear a ballet bun, then I wouldn't stop now. Insofaras supplements are concerned, I take the a multi-vitamin, MSM, cysteine, c and e. I've been doing this for about three weeks, so I'm not sure I'm the best judge. But MSM and cysteine are recommended by the board; and I understand that c helps one process cysteine. The e is for breast health, but I don't suppose it's hurting my hair. Good luck.

I really am curious though. Are you truly a ballerina? I'm a frustrated dancer myself.

 

[ballet_bun]

[ QUOTE ]
Shawn said:
Ballet Bun-- If, indeed, you wear a ballet bun, then I wouldn't stop now. Insofaras supplements are concerned, I take the a multi-vitamin, MSM, cysteine, c and e. I've been doing this for about three weeks, so I'm not sure I'm the best judge. But MSM and cysteine are recommended by the board; and I understand that c helps one process cysteine. The e is for breast health, but I don't suppose it's hurting my hair. Good luck.

I really am curious though. Are you truly a ballerina? I'm a frustrated dancer myself.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, I used to dance professionally in a ballet company. Then I had my own ballet studio, before I moved to Norway, but closed it before moving ... etc.

BB

 

[Nacai23]

Because I'm a full time student and mother of two toddlers, I have NO time for my hair without my husband being home, which he never is. Anyway, this is what I do during high stress times:

I Do:

-At least use a moisturizing leave in that also refreshes. I like Aura rosemary mint. I spray it on my scalp and hair. This really cuts down on the need for a lot of products. During the school semester, I don't have time to caress my ends with shea butter, except on that one wash day.

-Style the hair in a "no contact" style such as twists, braids, or plaits. These styles can last at least a month and give your hair a rest. When they (twists/plaits) start looking frizzy, I put them in a bun until I get a chance to wash my hair.

-Drink water. I do this at the very least. I toss 3 or 4 20 oz bottles in my book bag and I drink them during and between classes.

-For me stress has a negative effect on my hair. So I exercise, If only for 10 minutes, to relieve stress. I know that a stroll on a mild and breezy summers evening really calms me down. I like the way the cool air lightly brushes my face...

Don't:

-Pull at your hair or scratch your scalp. I really have to take my own advice on this one. While studying, my fingers make their way to my hair and start rubbing the curls and kinks. Have mercy on my scalp if they find a speck of dandruff. My fingers have caused a lot of shedding and sore scalp. I believe it's called hand in fro disease? Anyway, try to keep hands away from hair during stress. Trust me.

-Skip meals. I know it's hard for me to eat a wholesome breakfast and lunch during the week. But, I'll have at least a pop tart and yogurt. Something is better than nothing...

 

[ballet_bun]

[ QUOTE ]
Sweetyb said:
So, what do you mean by high stress? Do you mean no time to care for your hair, or no time to care for the health of your whole body, let alone your hair?

[/ QUOTE ]

By high stress, I mean stress and depression that life brings on or your reaction to various things in life. The kind where you barely want to get out of bed.

 

[WesternEyes]

I think getting the right amount of B vitamins and iron are important. Low levels of these vitamins can cause fatigue, headaches, and other problems which will make stress seem worse. Yoga really helps out. Try a couple of yoga positions before bed. It seems to calm me down and feels good to stretch muscles I never knew were there.

 

[cherish]

[ QUOTE ]
Nacai23 said:
I Do:

-At least use a moisturizing leave in that also refreshes. I like Aura rosemary mint. I spray it on my scalp and hair. This really cuts down on the need for a lot of products. During the school semester, I don't have time to caress my ends with shea butter, except on that one wash day.

-Style the hair in a "no contact" style such as twists, braids, or plaits. These styles can last at least a month and give your hair a rest. When they (twists/plaits) start looking frizzy, I put them in a bun until I get a chance to wash my hair.

-Drink water. I do this at the very least. I toss 3 or 4 20 oz bottles in my book bag and I drink them during and between classes.

-For me stress has a negative effect on my hair. So I exercise, If only for 10 minutes, to relieve stress. I know that a stroll on a mild and breezy summers evening really calms me down. I like the way the cool air lightly brushes my face...


[/ QUOTE ]

Nice list. These are all the things I try to do.

 

[Isis]

I agree with all of these suggestions including exercise like Yoga and walking. Make sure your B vitamins are for high stress - some are labeled "high stress B vitamins" and are more than 100 mg of each B vitamin. I suggest leaving the relaxer alone until you are feeling wonderful again. Chemicals are another stress situation added to your hair and scalp and you don't need that now. Keep your hair in a very low maintenance style so you don't have to think about your hair. Treat yourself to some relaxing herbal teas also like valarian root and chamomile. Also, take time to meditate at least once each day.

 

[DahomeyAmazon]

[ QUOTE ]
ballet_bun said:
[ QUOTE ]
Sweetyb said:
So, what do you mean by high stress? Do you mean no time to care for your hair, or no time to care for the health of your whole body, let alone your hair?

[/ QUOTE ]

By high stress, I mean stress and depression that life brings on or your reaction to various things in life. The kind where you barely want to get out of bed.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Ballet Bun,

When I would feel that kind of high level stress, I would usually do something drastic like cut my hair really short. I would always regret it a few months later when I felt better.

So, I suggest don't do anything too involved with your hair. If you know how to braid, braid it in some sort of attractive style that will last at least a week. The one time a week you do your hair, just wash and condition it and braid it back up.

If that also seems like too much hassle. You can always braid your hair into cornrows and wear a wig when you go out. That way you would only have to wash and redo the cornrows every two weeks or so.

I hope you feel better and I pray that you figure out what will make you happier and more content.

 

[Isis]

*bump*

 

[Devi]

I keep it moisturized and in a bun or pony!

 

[Isis]

DahomeyAmazon - I know someone also who would either cut her hair when she was really stressed or do something radically new to her hair which would make it break off. She always regretted it (becoming very depressed) but it was like a cycle of behavior. I remember suggesting to her that she just leave her hair alone during the high stress times until her mind was more clear.

 

[ballet_bun]

[ QUOTE ]
Isis said:
DahomeyAmazon - I know someone also who would either cut her hair when she was really stressed or do something radically new to her hair which would make it break off. She always regretted it (becoming very depressed) but it was like a cycle of behavior. I remember suggesting to her that she just leave her hair alone during the high stress times until her mind was more clear.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, that was good advice. Leaving it alone is the best thing. That's what i'm going to do for now. I 'm going to <font color="pink"> pamper </font> it, by <font color="pink">doing less </font> . I'll just treat it like I'm transitioning for now.

<font color="pink"> Ballet Bun </font> ...

 

[Stormy]

When I was really stressed out, I started taking GNC's ultra Nourishair and a multi-vitamin. I also did some of the things the ladies have mentioned such as wearing protective styles like the bun. I would also stretch out my relaxers.