Have you ever found yourself wanting to change your hairstyle, hit the gym harder, or overhaul your wardrobe when you’re feeling stressed? You’re not alone. Stress has a sneaky way of making us focus on our appearance, driving us to seek control or comfort through changes in how we look.
But is it just a temporary fix or a deeper desire for transformation? Let’s dive into why stress can spark the urge for a physical makeover and whether it’s really the solution we’re searching for when life feels overwhelming.
For the past couple of weeks I have had a very intense urge to cut my hair and go bald, it felt as though if I cut all of my hair (because I did cut them short a few months ago), my life would be less stressful.
According to Sage Journals, intentional self-change following multiple stress events can induce significant psychological stress and lead to changes in behaviour or lifestyle as a coping mechanism.
“Stressful life events have been defined as ‘objective events that disrupt or threaten to disrupt the individual’s usual activities’ which require the employment of adaptive, readjusting, or coping behaviours. The accumulation of such events can have profoundly negative impacts on physical health and has been directly linked to the onset and severity of illness and disease and significant decreases in life satisfaction.”
The publication further states that clothing choice, such as fashion, is an important everyday form of body modification and self-image expression that directly manipulates an individual’s appearance, others’ perceptions, and one’s self-esteem without making permanent physical alterations.
People recovering from trauma, such as the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, or failing health, often cope by changing their appearance, states Quartz. This is said to be subtle or drastic, such as a new haircut or a new wardrobe.
Therapist Christy Beck suggests that superficial self-care can be beneficial in helping individuals feel better after major stressors. Physical changes can be investments in oneself, helping to alleviate immediate pain and jumpstart moods, the therapist further mentions.
Also see: Unusual ways to quickly reduce stress
