Having a bad day at work isn’t going to affect your chances of going grey prematurely, but if you’re experiencing chronic, long-term stress — whether it’s from a job you hate, financial worries, or a troubled home life — that’s a different story. Our bodies are programmed to release certain hormones when we find ourselves under threat or feeling pressure. It’s part of the natural fight-or-flight response. However, if that natural response doesn’t switch off but persists for days, weeks, or even months, the excess hormones can take a toll on our bodies, including our hair. Non-essential cells, such as melanocytes that dictate hair color, become a low priority. That’s why it’s important to learn how to de-stress through exercise and relaxation. You don’t have to run marathons or spend hours doing yoga — just find a distracting activity that relaxes you and takes your mind off your worries. That could be gardening, baking, or even reading a book. If you’re not thinking about stressful factors in your life for at least an hour or two a day, your stress hormone levels will decline and the impact of stress on your hair will be reduced.
