# how do i stop stroking my hair?? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 8, 2016, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-stroking-my-hair/759366 "2016-07-08T08:49:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-stroking-my-hair/759366/21 "2016-07-09T03:08:27Z")
If the only reason you want to stop is because “it looks sissy” it might be easier to just change your mind about that. A lot of men stroke and fuss with their hair. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-stroking-my-hair/759366/22 "2016-07-09T04:55:31Z")
I don’t think stroking your hair is generally considered “effeminate.” I think lots of men do it. You may think you look silly, but I expect almost no one else cares. ---
**Author:** ![teddybound](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e7dd6/32.png) [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-stroking-my-hair/759366/23 "2017-10-12T04:45:57Z")
Sorry to resurrect this thread. I still can’t get rid of the habit and I really hate it. Any more suggestions?? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-stroking-my-hair/759366/24 "2017-10-12T05:24:36Z")
Teach your gf to do it for you. It will be nice for both of you. Sans gf? Get a fidget spinner, you may have a nervous tic and you can get help for that. Are you pulling hair out? ---
**Author:** ![teddybound](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e7dd6/32.png) [@teddybound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teddybound)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-stroking-my-hair/759366/25 "2017-10-12T06:21:41Z")
nah it’s just stroking, like petting my head… I assume it calms me like petting an animal… ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-stroking-my-hair/759366/26 "2017-10-12T10:34:12Z")
Two words: cactus hat. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-stroking-my-hair/759366/27 "2017-10-12T18:03:15Z")
Shaving your head might not help. I shave mine and often find myself stroking my scalp looking for stubble I may have missed shaving. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-stroking-my-hair/759366/28 "2017-10-12T21:36:00Z")
It’s been 15 months now? > [@kunilou](#): > > [This is an actual condition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichotillomania), and if you can’t control it, you may need professional help. Seriously, this could be a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and it generally requires both behavioral and drug therapy to get a handle on. See a professional. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-stroking-my-hair/759366/29 "2017-10-12T22:02:09Z")
> [@The\_Niply\_Elder](#): > > Shave your head. > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > [Stop it.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow0lr63y4Mw) > > 🙂 I came here to say and link to both of these things! ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-stroking-my-hair/759366/30 "2017-10-12T22:10:40Z")
Grow a beard. Learn to stroke that instead. It doesn’t look sissy at all; it looks wise and thoughtful! ---
**Author:** ![Trancephalic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trancephalic/32/380_2.png) [@Trancephalic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trancephalic)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2017, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-stroking-my-hair/759366/31 "2017-10-12T22:13:42Z")
Or take up canoeing ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-stroking-my-hair/759366/32 "2017-10-13T00:31:05Z")
Try writing what kind of situations made you stoke your hair the most and find ways to handle the situations better . Maybe taking a short walk if you can . When did you start doing this was it as a child ? Have you seen anyone to help you with your anxiety ? ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-stroking-my-hair/759366/33 "2017-10-13T02:23:46Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I play with my hair, too, curl it around my fingers. I tried to stop this habit once and my aunt laughed and told me I was doing it in the cradle. Hmm. > > So I’ve never been able to stop it, but I have been able to curb it severely. Keeping hands in pockets helps. Carrying things in your hands helps. Constant distraction - pay attention to yourself and everytime you stroke your hair, do something else. I’m sure the rabbit foot will help but maybe not always in the pocket? People might think you’re playing pocket pool. :eek: I messed up my hair so bad by curling it endlessly in my fingers that I have to shave it or its a mess …and ill make it worse my self … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-stop-stroking-my-hair/759366.md?page=1)