Beating The Winter Hair Blues – Part 2: Other Simple Tips
Last week, I shared five hair care regimen changes recommended by my stylist to keep your hair healthy and looking beautiful through the harsh winter weather. This week, I share his advice on some additional ways in which we can easily beat the winter hair blues.
A Balanced Diet
Who doesn’t want to indulge during the winter period? Our bodies seem to crave more heart-warming comfort foods in the chilly weather and the holidays call for big family meals. However, this increase in hearty casseroles, sweet pies, and mulled wine can really put a strain on our scalps and hair. Therefore, it is especially important to ensure we balance our diets with sufficient lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin-rich foods, which are all essential for hair health and growth.
Also, if you suffer from an itchy or flaky scalp, watch out for the intake of full-fat dairy products and alcohol. And you might want to take a supplement if you tend to have vitamin D deficiency due to decreased sun exposure.
Stay Hydrated on the Inside
Drinking plenty of water is critical to keep your scalp and hair hydrated during the moisture-deprived winter times. Not drinking enough water can actually slow hair growth. Some tips to remember and enjoy drinking enough water: carry a water bottle with you, drink at the same time everyday and try adding a slice of lemon or lime to water to give it a twist.
Stay Hydrated on the Outside
If possible, use a humidifier to keep the moisture levels up at home, helping both your hair and your skin. An alternative: keeping a bowl of water in the room at night, which will also maintain some moisture in the air.
Stress-Less!
Holiday stress is a fact of life. For most of us, the holiday season is probably one of the busiest times of the year. Planning family and office events, picking out gifts, or finishing up work on time before our holiday trip. Our minds and bodies will certainly benefit from taking a 5-minute break in our day to relax and do something for us. This includes our hair, which can actually shred more with stress. These short breathers will help you feel calmer and better prepared to handle the holiday madness, and your tresses will thank you too!
Wear that Hat
To keep your hair protected from the tough winter weather, which can wreak havoc on your hair, wear a hat or tie a scarf around. Choose a satin lining to reduce frizz and “hat hair”. Pick a hat that is not so tight that it restricts circulation in your scalp. An added bonus: hats can nicely accessorize your look and are excellent at hiding bad hair days!
Personally, I can’t wait to make these steps part of my hair care and daily routines to keep my hair healthy and avoid a dry scalp and frizzy, dull hair this winter. I am sure that by giving it some additional TLC, inside and out, my hair will love the wintry weather as much as I love the peppermint-spiced lattes that come with it. So in a few weeks, I will be more than ready to bundle up in my favorite coat, bounce off my gorgeous locks and enjoy the chilly season!
Is winter also being harsher on your hair since you turned 40? Do you have any other winter hair care tips? I’d love to hear about them!