It’s a new year! And with a new year usually comes a list of changes or goals — maybe lose weight, or spend more time on books than Netflix, or save up money for that big family trip. New Year’s resolutions can sometimes be overwhelming, daunting, or simply impossible to keep up with.
Maybe that’s why so many New Year’s resolutions fall flat within the first month. The second Friday of January is known as “Quitter Day,” or the day people give up on their New Year’s resolutions. And a recent survey by Forbes Health found that only 20% of people keep themselves accountable with their goals.
I’m not one to focus on the negative, which is why I fully believe in the power of positive goal setting if you approach it the right way. Last year, I wrote an entire article about setting realistic hair goals for the year.
And do you want to know the secret behind sticking to your resolutions? Small everyday habits! To achieve big goals, start with small habits.
For example, if your goal is to read 20 books by the end of the year, then a good habit to get there is to read for at least 30 minutes every morning during breakfast.
Let’s look at 7 healthy habits to start in 2024 to get on the right track for hair growth and strong, healthy hair.
1. Add deep conditioning to your hair routine
Adding a nourishing deep conditioner to your hair routine is a great hair habit. Deep conditioners bring moisture back into your hair, help soothe frizz, repair damage, and overall leave hair feeling soft and glossy. If you want to prevent or combat hair breakage, deep conditioning is the key.
One natural deep conditioner I’m a big fan of is argan oil. Argan oil has a high concentration of fatty acids, specifically oleic acid and linoleic acid, which lubricate the hair shaft and promote a healthy scalp. Our Nourish + Repair Serum is made of 100% argan oil and is designed to be used as a nightly hair mask or styling protectant.
Even using a deep conditioner 2-3 times a week can make a difference, but you can use deep conditioners daily. You may want to start small and increase how often you use it until you find the right balance for your hair!
2. Avoid overwashing your hair
Did you know that the oils in your scalp and hair follicles matter for hair growth? If you strip your hair of its natural oils, you can struggle with either dry scalp or oily scalp and hair breakage. That’s why it’s important to watch how much you wash your hair.
Everyone’s hair is different, but if you like to wash your hair everyday, a great starting place is washing your hair every other day. Then you can gradually train your hair so you only wash it 1 to 2 times a week. This change in your washing habit will go a long way in your overall hair health!
3. Clean up your diet
This is a common New Year’s resolution but it’s also an incredibly important healthy habit for hair growth! Just like your body, your hair needs certain nutrients, which is why our Growth Complex is packed full of essential nutrients for hair growth.
Eating a balanced diet is a great start, but you can also look to incorporate certain foods that help with hair growth. Vitamin A, vitamin C, biotin, and protein are all vital for helping promote a healthy scalp and hair growth, as well as fighting breakage. If you are ready to dive into nutrition, check out this full breakdown of the top nutrients for hair growth.
An easy place to start is to look for some of your favorite foods that also are high in these nutrients. You can also reduce foods that can trigger inflammation or are generally unhealthy. Eating a balanced diet doesn’t happen overnight, but as you make small changes in your diet, overtime eating clean will be a habit.
4. Do a daily stress reduction activity
One of the biggest contributors to hair loss is stress! Stress triggers hormonal fluctuations and an increase in cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol levels can disrupt the natural hair growth cycle, resulting in more hair shedding and even hair loss conditions like telogen effluvium. When you’re stressed, it also lowers blood flow to your scalp so your hair follicles are less likely to receive essential nutrients.
This is where the next healthy hair habit comes in — adding a stress-reducing activity into your everyday life. The daily activity can be anything that relaxes you, from reading a good book, soaking in the bath, doing yoga in the morning, or writing in a gratitude journal before bedtime. Practicing more self-care and mindfulness can positively impact both your overall wellness and the resilience of your hair.
5. Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night
Here’s another you probably hear so much, it makes you groan a little bit when you see it. But sleep really is so powerful for your body, including your hair growth! When you sleep, your body kicks into repair and regeneration mode. Sleeping also lets your body absorb and utilize nutrients for essential building blocks of your hair.
If you currently aren’t the best at getting consistent sleep, that’s okay! Making a few changes in your sleeping habits can put you on the right path. For example, try limiting your screen time before bed, since too much blue light can disrupt your sleep cycle and make it harder for you to fall asleep at night. Another good sleep hygiene rule is to wake up and go to bed at the same time everyday.
Getting enough quality sleep will not only benefit your overall health but play a major part in your hair growth journey! And if you need some extra help with this healthy habit, you can try out our natural sleep formula, Beauty Sleep Complex.
6. Increase your water intake
Drinking water is a necessity we all overlook sometimes, but it can either help or hurt your hair growth. Our hair shafts are made up of one-quarter water, and hydration helps maintain your hair’s natural sheen and elasticity. When you don't drink enough water, your hair can become dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage. Staying well-hydrated also supports the circulation of nutrients to the scalp, so your hair follicles get the essential vitamins and minerals they need to flourish.
For this daily healthy habit, it’s best to put water front and center so it’s top of mind. If you work at a desk, put a water bottle in front of you. Or carry one with you if you’re always on the move. You can make a fun game out of how much water you drink, or even turn it into a competition with your friends. For more easy ways to up your hydration, check out this water intake guide.
7. Stop overusing hair styling tools or chemicals
Last on the healthy hair habits list is stopping hair damage. Styling tools and products full of chemicals can harm your hair. Using a hot iron or blow dryer everyday can scorch your hair and trigger more breakage. Plus, certain chemicals in hair or beauty products can strip your hair of its natural oils and even disrupt your body’s hormones.
To swap out these harmful habits, try limiting your hair styling tools to every other day. You can let your hair dry naturally for example, or pull it up into a ponytail. Our Luxury Silk Scrunchies really can come in handy here to help give your hair a break, while still staying stylish! Also, when buying products, be on the lookout for harmful ingredients. I compiled a list of chemicals to avoid that you can refer to.
A New Year, New Hair Goals
As you look to meet your personal goals and also on your hair growth journey, it’s important to find balance and give yourself some grace. You don’t need to be perfect — you might not follow every one of these healthy habits for your hair each day. But starting small and working your way up can add up overtime to help you reach your hair goals. Pick one or two of these healthy hair habits that resonate with you and go from there. As you incorporate more into your daily life, you will fall in love with the process of healthy hair growth. Wishing you the very best going into the new year. And remember — 2024 is your year!
XOXO,
Kaley
