Hair growth can vary from one person to another, but most people will see their hair grow around half an inch each month. A range of factors can cause this to get quicker or slower, depending on what you’re doing. You probably know that diet has a big role to play, but what about exercise? If you’re hoping to grow your hair long, you’ll probably feel impatient and want to see results as quickly as possible. So, can exercise make a difference?
Does Exercise Make Hair Grow Faster?
This is a common question, so let’s see if we can answer it. Regular exercise improves blood flow around the body, and that does include the scalp. Since blood flow helps oxygen get around the body as well, along with a range of nutrients, it makes sense that it could help your hair grow. But will it grow faster than it already is?
We’ve already said that the amount a person’s hair grows in the average month can vary. This holds true just as other factors can lead to hair loss in some people, perhaps even leading to alopecia. Since exercise does encourage better blood flow to the scalp, along with everywhere else in the body, it makes sense that regular exercise could help boost hair growth. It might be worth thinking about incorporating more exercise into your day if you want to focus on hair loss prevention, or even as one of a series of hair loss solutions.
Which Exercise is Best for Hair Growth?
You’re probably wondering whether walking is better than swimming, or indeed any other type of exercise. That’s a little specific though – all you need to do is to focus on cardiovascular exercise. Anything that gets the blood moving faster throughout the body is going to improve blood flow to your scalp.
It’s a good idea to choose one or two forms of exercise that you’ll enjoy though, and that you can safely do. For example, if you’ve got ankle problems, don’t take up jogging or running. Think about brisk walking instead, or even hiking, especially if you’re lucky enough to live near some hills. You might also want to think about whether you can get any cardio indoors as well as outdoors, for those times when the weather may restrict your outdoor activities. Maybe an indoor bike would be good, rather than heading out in wet weather and splashing through loads of puddles?
Exercise Is a Great Addition to Your Life in Other Ways
Exercise is a great way to lower your stress levels. You may have noticed this if you’ve ever felt stressed and then headed out for a walk and some fresh air. It quickly lowers your stress and improves your mood – a great two-for-one, don’t you think?
Stress boosts your cortisol levels too. If you end up with elevated levels of cortisol, especially regularly, this can lead to premature hair shedding. In extreme cases, some people experience hair loss due to stress.
But if you factor plenty of exercise into your day – even if it’s only an occasional 15-minute walk around the block – you’ll work to reduce your stress levels. This helps you keep those cortisol levels down, while also boosting that blood flow, so it’s two advantages in one as far as your hair is concerned.
You only need to aim for the recommended 30 minutes a day three days a week to hit the desired target, although of course, if you manage more, that’s great. Anyone with a dog in their lives will surely manage at least 30 minutes a day.
More Exercise Can Mean Better Sleep...and That Can Help, Too
Let us share one final boost to better hair growth in this article. If you’ve ever had plenty of exercise in a day, you know it can make you feel tired. If you sleep better, you’ll keep your melatonin levels in check. Low levels of this hormone may lead to hair loss, so getting a good night sleep another element to think about if you’re focusing on hair loss prevention.
So, make today the day you focus on more exercise and boost your hair growth at the same time. You’ll look and feel better for it!
For more information on how to help your hair grow healthier and stronger, contact the team at Unique Hair Concepts.
