11|9|21Greetings, Gem. And yes, you read that headline right. I’m here to tell you more about it…
My Hair is Falling Out x Shanice
*warning* this blog may be a bit lengthy. Bare with me.
The title of this blog is a little… forward, I know. To be completely honest with you, I’m shook by my nerve to share this unnerving news. It’s an experience I’m not only devastated by, but also embarrassed over. But I need to tell you how this happened, and by the end of my explanation, you’ll understand why I shared this with you.
Let’s get into it.
This year, during the whole month of August, I had Covid Pneumonia. It should go without saying that it was easily one of the hardest months of my life. The sickness was tormenting, and I’d never felt anything like it before. A few weeks after I’d gotten better, I still endured some of the effects, such as a dry cough, my taste buds being different, and a lack of energy, as well as the ability to focus. I learned that the sickness doesn’t just put your body down but your mind, too.
Gem, whoever created this plague in the lab is going to hell.
One of the after-effects of covid is hair shedding, which is what I automatically assumed I was going through. But my intuition informed me that it couldn’t have been the case for me; it had to be something deeper. Thick chunks of my tresses were falling out. All I had to do was rub my fingers through my hair, and like a snap of the fingers, it came out of my scalp that easily…
Constantly…
For days on end until bald spots appeared!
I sent pictures to everyone close to me because I just couldn’t believe this was happening to me. What in the world was happening to my hair? I couldn’t wrap my head around my reality.
No f@#king way!
So, after dozens of tests and ruling out several different things, my doctor sat down in a chair in front of me and asked, “Shanice, have you been stressed?”
Oh, this is when it got really real for me.
I was reminded of the random migraines and headaches I mentioned a few months prior when I was obviously undergoing the same factor, along with the chest pain, and loss of appetite. With all these reminders came a lesson on how stress can manipulate our minds, harming us both mentally and physically.
It’s important to know that if you're constantly under stress, you can endure physical symptoms, such as: headaches, stomach pain, high blood pressure, chest pain, and the list continues. As if that isn’t enough, too much stress can lead to emotional problems, depression, and anxiety.
Absolutely nothing conducive comes from it.
Our bodies may shut down due to the effects of stress, literally making us sick and fatigued. Studies show that women are more likely than men to experience harsher symptoms of stress. Our bodies process it differently, combined with our hormones. I’m throwing a lot of information out at you right now, I know. But it’s mind blowing how stress can alter every function of our bodies—from our menstrual cycles, weight gain, and fertility process.
Imagine my surprise when I discovered first-hand that stress-related hair loss happens when your body is experiencing such high levels of it that your hair falls out faster than it otherwise would.
If you're currently undergoing stress and are experiencing any of the symptoms I mentioned above, it’s time you realize the severity of how you could be torturing your body from the inside out. I’m aware that it isn’t just a switch we can turn on or off. Whenever we’re going through something devastating or overwhelming, losing some control of our minds seems beyond our willpower. However, let’s vow to try harder to take our control back.
Let’s treat ourselves better, because we deserve to.
Below I’ve listed some suggestions (nine ways) to get us started. Our self-care should be tended to every day, not just an appointed day or two out of the week. Our health and livelihood depends on it.
Prioritize yourself: We’re no good to/for anyone if we continue placing ourselves on the backburner. Make an effort to do something you love every day—anything that makes you and your heart smile.
Write out your thoughts: Journaling has been really good to me. I recently started being consistent with doing it and it really helps put things into perspective. Treat yourself to a new journal and give yourself a fresh start to a clear mind.
Get more sleep: Or at the very least, try your best to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night. This is one I need to take heed to as well. Most adults need seven to nine hours to feel well-rested.
Eat better: Simply put, caffeine, proccesed foods, and high-sugar snacks are the devil. Am I lying?! Too much of it slows us down while affecting the way we move and how we feel. Vitamins with your meals are a plus!
Meditate: Meditation is a set time of stillness that requires you to focus the mind on a positive and/or neutral thought. A lot of studies show that it can help lower our stress levels. It can improve anxiety, menopause symptoms, lower our blood pressure, and may even help with side effects from cancer treatments. Free meditation guides are available online if you’re interested in getting started.
Get moving: Stretching can relax our muscles and help us feel less tense. It goes without saying that exercise works wonders for our body and mental health, but you don’t have to go all out to achieve this. A 30-minute walk around your neighborhood is worthy to be praised. Get moving any way you can.
Talk to someone: I’m a big advocate of counseling/therapy. I used to be ignorant to the ways it can help us. But over the last few years I discovered how much it can change our lives for the better. It truly works wonders, and I advise everyone to try it. But even if therapy isn’t your jam, talk to a friend or family member. It may help you feel better.
Try not to cope in unhealthy ways: Wine used to be my go-to. I depended on it every night, until one day my best friend questioned me about it. She asked me if I was okay, then pointed out that I had been religiously drinking every night, and sometimes during the day. Drinking too much alcohol, smoking, and overeating are all coping mechanisms. They’re temporary, and don’t solve our problems. Substitute healthier ways to cope, like spending time with your loved ones who help you feel alive, exercising, or finding a hobby that makes you happy.
Get organized: Being disorganized is typically a sign of stress, and it can also cause it. I’m not here to judge, but I don’t know how hoarders do it without absolutely losing their minds. To-do-lists and planners can help you organize your work, home, and social life. Try utiltizing them as motivation to get important tasks done without overwhelming yourself..
Making better life changes to elevate ourselves is an every day work in progress. Consistency is the key, and that doesn’t mean you have to jump into trying to figure it all out at once. That just means, by simply working at it every day, you’re destined for greatness in every aspect of the phrase. Trust and believe that, because these are the facts. You got this!
After all, you are an immense treasure.
Thank you for reaching the end of this blog. I hope it helped you in some way.
Sending you lots of love and strength on your journey of elevation. -S
Photo Cred: Pinterest