Dealing With Hair Loss: How To Beat Stress & Anxiety

Bald Man Anxiety

The majority of men who suffer with male-pattern baldness admit to being unhappy with their situation and would go to great-lengths to change it.

Often, male-pattern baldness can lead to insecurity, low self-esteem, increased stress levels and even serious anxiety disorders. As a result, this can have a damaging affect on men’s lives, impacting anything from interpersonal relationships to professional careers.

Additionally, a large percentage of men suffering with balding seek expensive treatments such as hair transplants in a wishful attempt to recover lost hair, however, this only tends to lead to negative side-effects such as unsightly scars which only makes the situation far worse.

As a bald guy myself, I’ve been through the mental trauma of losing my hair at a very young age, so in this post I’m going to explain the steps you should take to deal with balding the right way to regain faith in your appearance and emphasise your strengths.

Step 1: Open up and discuss with loved ones

Friends

The last thing you want to do when suffering with personal insecurities is to sweep it under the rug, deal with it yourself and not open up to loved ones, this will only prolong the matter and make it worse.

If, anything like me, losing your hair whilst your in your young prime years,  your self-confidence will take a hit, so it’s important to tackle the issue in a healthy and positive way from the start. Begin by talking to your friends or family, all of whom should reassure you that there is actually nothing to worry about.

You should also try speaking to another bald guy you know about how he coped with losing his hair. You don’t have to suffer alone, and you may just come away feeling relieved once you’ve had that all-important conversation with someone who’s been through this challenge in life.

Step 2: Talk with your barber

Barber

There are a range of optimal hairstyles available for men at all different stages of balding, and there’s no one better to talk to about the best style for you, than your barber.

Remember, over 40% of men lose their hair before the age of 35, so this certainly a regular topic of conversation with barbers and their clients, so don’t be afraid to ask.

There are also a range of hairstyle inspirations for men who are receding. Combining your new style with some facial hair and a defined dress style will leave you feeling better about the way you look and therefore reducing your stress levels.

Step 3: Maintain a healthy & active lifestyle

Active Lifestyle

Keeping a positive outlook, healthy mind and body will also help you deal with stress. Looking after yourself mentally and physically can have a positive effect on how you perceive yourself and how you act towards others.

Exercise not only boosts personal performance, but it also reduces stress, enhances your physical appearance and improves your mental health.

It is critically important for your mental well-being that you look after yourself, keep in shape and keep off the pounds. A number of guys I have talked to over the years that use the line, ‘well I’m fat and bald so why should I bother’, this really frustrates me – just because you’ve started losing your hair doesn’t mean you can let the rest of you go.

Step 4: Take pride in your sense of style

Mens Fashion

Another important piece of advice on this topic is style.

What might have worked for you when you were a young guy might not be working for you now. What you think suits your new look might not be the best way to show off how good you could look with a little thought and attention to detail.

Develop your own style and look to modify that look depending on the way your hair is going – doing this will help reduce the stress levels, as you’ll be focusing your attention on something else rather than worrying about your hair.

I am not saying every guy losing his hair has to grow and beard and wear a suit, what I am saying is take some inspiration from guys around you that might be in a similar position regarding hair loss, how well do they look, what are they wearing that looks cool/dapper/smart.

Step 5: Groom up

Grooming

Personal grooming is critically important. It shows that you have respect for yourself and take pride in your appearance, which will help to earn the respect of others. Grooming will help you fit in today’s society, so you must make sure your personal grooming is of a good standard. From moisturising your skin, cleaning your teeth and maintaining a well-groomed beard, you should make every attempt to look your best at all times.

Step 6: Get more sleep

Alarm

A lack of sleep can have a negative affect on your memory, judgement and mood. Research has shown that most people would be happier if they were to sleep an extra 60 to 90 minutes per night, so if you’re suffering with stress due to balding, then an extra 1-2 hours sleep each night can help to ensure your mood improves which can help reduce stress.

A good tip is to avoid using your mobile phone, tablet or other electronic device before bedtime. Studies have shown that being exposed to the blue-and-white light given off by electronic gadgets at night prevents our brains from releasing melatonin, a hormone that tells our bodies it’s nighttime, which will delay the time it takes to fall asleep which can dramatically increase stress levels.

Step 7: Avoid alcohol

Whisky

It’s certainly not uncommon for people to turn to alcohol in response to stress. However, consuming large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis can leave people suffering with unbearable mental health problems, and whilst alcohol can help to reduce stress for the short-term, in the long run it can contribute heavily to feelings of depression and anxiety which makes stress much harder to deal with. If you’re serious about making a good change in your life, then it’s crucially important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid a regular consumption of alcohol.

Step 8: Try Relaxation Techniques (Take up Yoga)

Yoga relaxation techniques

Yoga is a social experience that can lower your blood pressure, lower your heart rate and help you control stress and and temper symptoms of anxiety while also releasing physical tension. Yoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical poses, controlled breathing, and meditation or relaxation which often leads to a calmer, more positive outlook on life. Yoga classes are not just for the experts, they’re also for male beginners just like you, so hit the mat and attend a local Yoga class.

Step 9: Take inspiration

Dwayne Johnson

Forget the before/after treatment images on advertisements, forget the comb-over and ditch the hat. Be the great guy you are and don’t let your hair loss get in the way of your life, just take a look at these fine, celebrity male balding gentlemen who make being bald a club you really want to be in. From Jason Statham to Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, these powerful male celebrities are setting a real benchmark, making it physically clear that balding is certainly nothing to worry about.

Step 10: A&E

Powerful bald man

No, I’m not saying you should visit accident and emergency to discuss your hair-loss problems, I’m saying you should ACCEPT & EMBRACE. Be proud of it, it’s completely normal and you’ll come to realise that actually nobody cares that you’ve lost your hair, only you. By taking the above tips onboard, you can become a confident and proud, stylish gentleman.

Final word

I know what the stress is like, especially if you’re a young guy and the loss is happening pretty quickly.

You are not on your own, millions of guys are going through the same thing, some the same age as you but all will be dealing with the stress in different ways.

Everything gets better once you face up to the fact you’re losing your hair. Nowadays there are so many ways to manage both your hair loss and deal with the stress. Never bottle your emotions up, talk to people and you’ll find it’s the first step in making yourself feel less stressed. Follow some of my simple guides to improving your mental and physical well-being, embrace your new look and have fun developing a style you feel comfortable  with. Remember you don’t have to hide away, if anything you have a chance to really stand out and make a name for yourself.

Paul Inman

Paul Inman is the founder of The Bald Gent. As the main contributor to TBG, Paul has years of knowledge, experience and stories to share with our users. His insights, advice and blogs form the backbone to everything we do and what makes being a true gent so important to the ethos of TBG.

No Comments Yet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.