Workout anyway

Threa  | Almontaser

Freaking out about that exam next week? Have you already been flunking the quizzes and have no idea how you’ll make it through the actual exam, so you’re seriously contemplating the most outrageous scenarios like making a (wolf) pact with your fellow classmates to all fail and go down together? Or maybe you just have zero time to hang with your friends, and have annoyingly become that one friend that always bails out because of papers and study sessions? These may be stressing you out to the max, but don’t worry, it isn’t the cause of the recent baby Chewbacca in your shower drain. Paradi Mirmirani, a dermatologist in California, says that daily stress has no actual correlation with hair loss.

Common data shows that a normal head of hair contains about 120,000-150,000 strands. About 90 percent of those hairs are in a growing phase of about 1/2 inch each month which lasts for two to three years. From there, your hair will go into a resting stage, which lasts for 3 to 4 months before it falls out and is replaced by new hair. You may not even notice the typical “100 hairs a day” falling out.

Stress because you’re late to class or have a ton of assignments isn’t going to cause you to lose hair. Short-term, everyday stress doesn’t affect your body enough to cause immense hair falling out. A larger stress that makes you lose sleep at night is what can cause that problem. Severe illness or infections, major surgery, and a strict low-calorie diet are some examples of serious traumatic stress. So, make sure to find time in between your daily class schedule to grab a loaded meal, rather than eating from the vending machine all morning and afternoon. Also, try applying castor oil on your scalp as a natural remedy. Wellness Mama’s blog says castor oil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties help increase circulation and improve hair growth, as well as help cases with dandruff issues.

Exercise has also been proven to help hair grow. “If exercise came in pill form, it would be hailed as the blockbuster drug of the century, ” said Dr. John Ratey, an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

When you work out, you sweat. In that sweat, toxins and wastes are flushed out from the pores. Sweating from the scalp helps to unclog hair follicles, giving your head enough space for new hair to grow. The increased blood flow also helps bring in more nourishment and oxygen.

Working out can help your entire body, not just your head. If you aren’t sure how to get started, there are plenty of professional trainers at Carmichael Gymnasium to help your progress at the service desk. Take group classes like cycling, yoga, or full body workout on the second floor to have that community vibe. Or hit up The Playground with a buddy who’s already got the workout flow going. It can be an easier transition and you won’t look like an amateur spending half your gym time reading the labels on the machines and trying your best to get them in the right setting. Staying hydrated is the most important thing that lots of students seem to forget. Keep refilling that water bottle! Carmichael gym even has fountains that fit those bottles perfectly, so you won’t have that hindrance or awkward mess from a fountain with a traditional spout.  

If you have a busy schedule full of classes and clubs, there’s always the basics you can get done. Not a runner? Don’t skimp out! Bike to school. We have plenty of racks available near each classroom. Try getting off the bus a few stops earlier, or park your car farther away to extend your walking time. Skip that elevator in Daniels Hall and lunge up those stairs two at a time, your backpack can be your weight. According to the American Heart Association, the benefits of these simple tasks can reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer, obesity, and high cholesterol.

Finding time is all it takes. Take it out from your daily 16 Netflix series binge, or from that other 22 hours stuck in the dark, never-ending abyss known as Tumblr. As long as you stay hydrated, eat your greens, do your squats, and put those cute–but also practical–Nike Roshe’s to good use, then you’ll be set for the semester. It’ll all workout anyway.