Have you been obsessed with playing with your hair since you were in kindergarten, but have you now decided you would like to quit? Twisting your hair, pulling it and moving it behind the ears are very common trends among children and even among some adults. Changing this behavior can be a challenge, especially if it has become a compulsive habit or attitude. It is possible to overcome the problem by facing it head on, using diversions or resorting to accessories and hairstyles: with these tools at your disposal you can get rid of it once and for all.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Handle the Problem
Step 1. Stay alert and be aware of your actions
You may be playing with your hair without realizing it. If you are trying to change your behavior, you need to focus on the present and be aware of whatever you do. You are preparing for an important change: now you have the opportunity to continue with your intent and gain confidence.
- Slowing down the pace of daily life and limiting the activities you try to do at the same time will help you increase your awareness.
- Remind yourself that you need to be alert and be careful not to play with your hair.
Step 2. Create an action plan
Establish a start date and the various steps you will need to go through to eliminate your behavior - a well-defined plan will increase your chances of success. You will need to set goals to achieve and how to get there.
Don't leave anything undefined. You know what you want and if you don't know how to get it, you can work on it until you come up with a solution
Step 3. Determine how serious the problem is and if you need help
Playing with your hair is a common ailment that could, however, risk becoming an addiction. Generally, behavior is measured on a scale ranging from mild to moderate to severe addiction. If playing with your hair has become an uncontrollable habit that can cause problems in your personal life, maybe it's time to address the issue.
- While it's best to rely on a professional to get an official diagnosis, you can review your behavior and decide what level of care and what kind of action you want to take. In some situations it may happen that the people around you disagree with your choice and ask you to take more energetic measures.
- On the one hand, milder cases are able to resolve themselves and require simple strategies to eliminate the behavior in question.
- On the other hand, there are also serious ailments such as trichotillomania, which is the habit of constantly pulling hair and hair from eyelashes and eyebrows. This extreme disorder can lead to the formation of bare patches in the affected area and cause skin irritation that can interfere with everyday life. In this case, you would have confirmation that you are facing an addiction and that you need help to control or eliminate the problem.
- This condition is often associated with other obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), depression and anxiety. It may be necessary to seek treatment to resolve these disorders and, consequently, the behavior in question.
Step 4. Get professional help if you are having a hard time avoiding your compulsive behavior
You can find several professionals available through groups such as the Italian Association of Psychologists or the Italian Society of Psychiatry. You won't have a hard time finding help and it may turn out to be the best choice you've ever made for yourself.
- Introspection is the process by which a person tries to know their internal dynamics. The moment you understand how and why you react in a certain way to the people and things around you, you will solve many of your personal problems. Only you yourself can do the work necessary to find the answers to these questions. Analysis can be difficult, but it can put you on the right path for change.
- Seeking the help you need is a bold move that will help fulfill your desire to live a full and happy life by making it a reality.
Step 5. Reward yourself every time your plan works
Every success - big or small - is a milestone, it means you are making a significant change in your life. Identify what's rewarding for you, so you're ready to reward yourself when the time comes. If you enjoy the rewards - material and immaterial - for your hard work, you will be even more motivated to move forward.
Congratulate yourself if you can get over a particular situation where you would normally have played with your hair. It is important to give weight to even the smallest change
Method 2 of 4: Distract yourself
Step 1. Find healthy distractions
As soon as you feel the need to play with your hair, turn your attention elsewhere. Choose activities that require your concentration, but not to the point of losing awareness of your harmful tendency. Activities such as reading, playing video games, watching a movie, and writing could increase your chances of playing with your hair. Playing outdoor games or taking the dog for a walk can be great distractions.
- Some activities, thoughts, or feelings may increase the need to play with your hair. If you find yourself doing this, make it a point to stop immediately, then find a replacement business. For example, in case you are talking to someone and you start playing with your hair, pick up a pen or even sit on your hands.
- Observe how many times you need to distract yourself from your harmful behavior - it will help you understand its severity. Attendance will likely be high at the start of the journey, but that means you'll have more progress to celebrate later.
Step 2. Keep both hands busy to avoid playing with your hair
You can try different activities such as baking a cake, playing a sport, working metal or wood, baking cookies, shopping, making a rock garden, painting with both hands (try it!), Handstand, brush the dog or the cat, playing a musical instrument.
- Not only will you stop playing with your hair, they can also be very fun experiences.
- Discover new activities you've never done before. Go for it - you may discover new and rewarding interests.
- Stress Relief Stones can help you dissipate the nervousness at the root of your ailment. These are smooth stones, specially designed to play with and rub them. They have already proven useful in treating the restlessness of smokers who wish to quit. They are available online or in some natural or new age stores.
Step 3. Determine your level of anxiety or boredom
Playing with your hair can be a sign that you are upset or bored, so it is important to manage the causes of the disorder rather than let it out on your own hair. If anxiety is the problem, there are several calming techniques to experiment with; talking to someone willing to listen to you will help you manage your feelings. If you are bored, find something to entertain yourself with.
- Try meditation or yoga - they can teach you to focus on your breath and regain calm.
- Find other relaxing behaviors that help you manage anxiety. Even just talking to yourself - loudly or silently - in a positive tone can help. Tell yourself that everything is fine: you are taking care of yourself, so you don't need to play with your hair.
- A surefire cure for boredom is to get busy without procrastinating. Make a list and mark everything you accomplish
Method 3 of 4: Using Hair Accessories
Step 1. Put on some fun and trendy hats
A change like this, albeit temporary, can help break the bad habit in the short term and will help you in the long term as well. It will basically prevent your hands from reaching the area of your head you were turning towards to play with your hair. You can choose between different types of hats, some of which may suit you more than others. A knitted hat might look better on you than a baseball or cowboy hat - choose the one that makes you feel most comfortable.
Step 2. Use rubber bands and clips to style and gather your hair
If you stare at them, you won't be able to play with them. Place these accessories strategically to collect hair and keep it out of reach. Using a little creativity you could also start a new fashion in the field of hair accessories.
Step 3. Cover your hair with a scarf or bandana
Covering them completely will eliminate any possibility of playing with them. Every time you touch the scarf or bandana, you will remember that you are trying to make a positive change. If you can resist the temptation to take off your headgear, you can spend a significant amount of time free from your mania.
Method 4 of 4: Change your hairstyle
Step 1. Make a braid to pull the hair away from the face
Simple changes, even if temporary, help you break a habit and change your attitude over the long term. If you can arrange the strands of hair that you might play with elsewhere, you won't find any grip when you put your hands to your head. By doing so, you will mentally remember to stop playing with your hair. Since you have decided to braid them, you cannot play with them, otherwise you would risk melting and ruining the braid.
- A ponytail or bun can do the trick. Keeping your hair off your shoulders and preventing it from falling in front of your face will eliminate the temptation to play with it.
- Your hairdresser can help you find a style that minimizes temptation. Specifically, keeping them away from your face, out of reach or using some styling products will help to avoid playing with them. The will to preserve the hairstyle will be enough to stop you.
Step 2. Cut them
If you want a shorter or layered cut, it's time to do it. Shaving your hair might be an extreme solution, but if you like this type of look, you might like the result.
There are some charities to which it is possible to donate hair with which they make wigs for cancer patients who have lost them following chemotherapy. You could make a donation, thus helping other people and yourself at the same time
Step 3. Dye them
A simple color change can be exciting; it can make you feel better about yourself or make you see yourself in a more positive light. A style change may be all you need to motivate yourself.
If the "new you" wants to stop playing with their hair, choose a new color to show yourself to the world: it could be a cathartic experience
Advice
- Be kind to yourself - changes can be difficult.
- Reassure yourself that your hair looks great the way it is.
- Stay focused on the present to avoid wandering thoughts and falling back into unwanted behavior.
Warnings
- Excessive play with your hair can result in permanent hair loss and cause other skin-related ailments.
- Addictions of any kind should be kept in check and taken seriously.
