Why Is Your Hair Falling Out? A Holistic Approach to Understanding Hair Loss
Jul 20, 2026
Photo by Daria Kulkova on Getty Images • AI-Enhanced/Edited
Have you noticed that your hair has been falling out more than usual?
This is something I've been seeing more and more with the women I work with. They tell me they're losing handfuls of hair every time they brush it or wash it. Naturally, they become worried and start looking for the right shampoo, supplement, or treatment to stop it.
Hair loss can happen for many reasons. Hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid conditions, medications, and other health concerns can all contribute. It's always important to work with your healthcare provider to understand any underlying medical causes.
Alongside those possibilities, I'd also like to share another perspective that I often see in my practice.
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The Connection Between Your Nervous System and Hair Fall
One of the most common things I notice is that many women experiencing hair loss have been living with stress for a very long time.
When we're under ongoing stress, the nervous system shifts into fight or flight mode. This is our body's natural survival response. During this time, stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are released to help us respond to challenges.
The body is doing exactly what it was designed to do.
The problem comes when we never leave that state.
Many women are constantly rushing, worrying, overthinking, taking care of everyone else, and carrying responsibilities without giving themselves time to rest.
When the nervous system remains in survival mode for long periods, the body continues producing adrenaline and cortisol. This creates a more acidic environment in the body. As the body becomes more acidic, it becomes more difficult to support healthy hair, and hair may begin to fall out.
This is why I believe it's so important to help the body move back into rest and digest mode.
When the nervous system begins to relax, the body can shift its energy toward recovery and supporting its natural healing processes.
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This Was the Experience of Two of My Clients
I've had two clients come to me because they were experiencing significant hair loss.
Rather than focusing only on the symptom, we looked at what was happening underneath.
We worked on calming their nervous systems, helping their bodies feel safe again, improving their sleep, and releasing emotional burdens they had been carrying for many years.
One client shared:
"I came to Anumeha because I was experiencing severe hair loss. I had lost a significant amount of hair, and my functional medicine practitioner recommended that I work with her.
Anumeha explained that chronic stress can dysregulate the nervous system, affecting the body's ability to heal and contributing to issues like hair loss. Rather than focusing on symptoms alone, she created a personalized program that addressed the root causes.
Together, we worked on releasing deep fears and helping my body feel safe again. As my nervous system began to calm, she guided me through healing emotional burdens and childhood experiences I didn't even realize I was still carrying. She also helped me improve my sleep with practical tools that allowed my body to rest and recover.
Today, my hair loss has reduced dramatically to just a few strands a day. But the changes go far beyond my hair. I experience a deep sense of peace and calm that feels sustainable. My husband has noticed the difference too. My relationships have improved, and people or situations that once triggered irritation no longer affect me in the same way. I feel more grounded, empowered, and able to live life on my own terms.
Working with Anumeha has been truly life-changing."
— C.M., USA
Stories like this remind me that when we support the whole person, healing often extends far beyond the original symptom.
Looking at Hair Fall from a Deeper Perspective
I also like to explore hair loss from a holistic perspective.
One of the books that has influenced my work is The Secret Language of Your Body by Inna Segal.
The book suggests that hair may represent our connection to beauty, creativity, self-worth, and self-love.
It also reminds us to pay attention to what we may be carrying emotionally.
Many women experiencing hair loss have spent years holding on to:
- Worry
- Fear
- Anger
- Frustration
- Guilt
- Resentment
- Sadness
I've also noticed that many women carry a great deal of tension in their scalp from constant thinking, worrying, and trying to stay in control.
From this perspective, the body may be gently communicating that something needs our attention.
Sometimes it's simply showing us that what we've been doing is no longer working.
Four Gentle Ways to Support Hair Health
If you're experiencing hair fall, here are four practices that I often recommend.
1. Calm Your Nervous System
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This is always where I like to begin.
When your nervous system feels safe, your body can begin moving from survival into healing.
Three simple practices that can help are:
a. Ayurvedic Abhyanga (Self Massage)
Warm oil massage helps relax the nervous system while nourishing the body.
Learn how to practice Ayurvedic Abhyanga and discover its full benefits. → Read the full article.
b. Collarbone Breathing
Practice Collarbone Breathing three times a day to help your nervous system feel safe and supported.
→ Read the full article to learn how this gentle practice can support your healing journey.
c. Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is a beautiful practice for deep relaxation.
Discover the full benefits of Yoga Nidra and how to practice it. → Read the full article.
As you begin your practice, set the intention:
"I have beautiful, healthy hair."
2. Send Healing Light to Yourself
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One of the most important things you can do is create time to heal yourself.
You can do this in either of these two ways:
a. Option 1: Self-Healing Meditation
Practice the self-healing meditation from the handout. Set aside a few quiet minutes each day to reconnect with yourself and allow your body to receive healing. → Read the full blog about self-healing meditation to discover how this gentle practice can help you feel calmer, safer, and more connected to yourself.
b. Option 2: Meditation from The Secret Language of Your Body
Another beautiful practice I recommend comes from The Secret Language of Your Body by Inna Segal.
Say:
"Divine Healing Intelligence, I ask you to delete all the stressful thoughts, worries, fears, anger, frustration, guilt, resentment, and sadness that are making my hair weak, as well as all points of view, all patterns, and the positive and negative charges that contribute to this condition."Repeat the word "CLEAR" until you feel a shift occur.
Lightly pull a tuft of your hair at the root to stimulate hair growth. Do this all over your head using both of your hands.
Say:
"Divine Healing Intelligence, please help me gain self-belief, courage, and calmness, and increase my ability to trust that life has my best interests at hand. Allow me to recognize my own beauty and magnificence, and enjoy the gifts I have been given. Thank you."Say:
"Divine Healing Intelligence, please strengthen and regenerate my hair and scalp to their maximum health, vibrancy, and well-being."
If this practice resonates with you, I encourage you to explore the guided meditation in the book. It offers a beautiful visualization to support healthy hair while helping you release emotional stress and reconnect with your sense of beauty, confidence, and self-worth.
I have found it to be a valuable resource for many people on their healing journey.
3. Release Deeply Stored Emotions
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Sometimes healing requires releasing what we've been carrying for years.
- Resentment.
- Regret.
- Rejection.
- Sadness.
- Fear.
ThetaHealing® is one of the approaches I use to help clients gently release these emotional patterns so the body no longer has to carry them alone.
If you'd like to explore this work with me, you're welcome to book a complimentary clarity call.
4. Apply Aloe Vera Gel
Photo by Sundaemorning on Getty Images
Fresh aloe vera gel can help soothe and nourish the scalp and has traditionally been used to support healthy hair.
Simple daily rituals like this become another way of caring for yourself.
→ View my recommended aloe vera gel here.
A Gentle Reminder
Hair loss is often about much more than our hair.
Sometimes it's our body's way of asking us to slow down.
To listen, rest, and care for ourselves with the same kindness we so naturally offer everyone else.
If you're experiencing hair loss and feel called to explore a more holistic approach, I'd be honored to support you.
During a complimentary clarity call, we'll gently explore what may be contributing to your symptoms and discuss practices that can help you reconnect with your body's natural ability to heal.
You don't have to navigate this journey alone.
Anumeha Gupta is an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor, ThetaHealing® Practitioner, and founder of Ayuwise Spiritual Healing in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Through her integrative approach she helps individuals release hidden emotional trauma, calm anxiety, and be the person they want to be.
Anumeha’s writings reflect her deep belief in the power of inner wisdom to bring balance, healing, and clarity to modern life. Feel free to be added to her newsletter for more articles like these.
She can be reached at anu@ayuwise.com.
