3 Scalp Massage Tips To Reduce Anxiety & Boost Hair Growth, From A Pro

So grab your hair oil du jour—I highly suggest Reed's The Good Habit Hybrid Oil—and follow his tips below: 

If you use a beautifully fragranced oil, the scent can further ground you and help you relax—an aromatherapy of sorts. Reed's sophisticated blend, for example, features top notes of mandarin and rhubarb with a base of vanilla, tea rose, and white musk. Don't forget to breathe deeply while you press into your temples. 

Now, let's move on to the scalp. Apply a generous amount of oil onto your fingertips and scalp, perhaps separating your hair into sections if you have a thicker mane. Then follow Reed's tutorial below: 

"The pulling motion is really relaxing," says Reed. "That's why sitting and brushing your hair or brushing somebody else's hair is such a relaxing thing for both parties." The brushing also exfoliates the scalp, he notes, which further stimulates the follicles. "Just make sure you keep the brush that you use washed and clean," he reminds us. "Just use a little bit of shampoo after every time you use it, and you'll get that really nice, clean brush every time."

But according to Reed, the cold water rinse also provides some rejuvenating, stimulating properties for your scalp. "Lift your showerhead away, so the water is running through your hair," he notes. (Think of it like a DIY rain shower, as opposed to spraying directly on the back of your head.) "The water helps to massage, and with cold water, it's really nice."

Mental health care looks different for everyone, but if you're searching for a way to ease your mind and relax your senses, a grounding scalp massage can certainly do the trick. Follow Reed's go-to tutorial above, and don't forget to always treat your scalp with TLC. "Be gentle to your scalp," he adds—and we can extend the advice to your body and mind in general. This is a time to give yourself grace.