INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you haven't shown much of an interest in girls or other boys before, but are suddenly interested in, or even fascinated by them, then you may be going through one major emotional change of puberty. If you're finding yourself feeling more attracted or even aroused by girls or other boys who were previously uninteresting to you, then this is a sign of your developing body.  Every boy is different. You might have been crushing on girls for years before you hit puberty, or you may be in the throes of puberty without feeling much interest in people of any gender. This will come to you. Of course, if you're gay or bisexual, then your feelings of attraction and arousal may be directed toward other boys or men. Were you previously pretty even-keeled, or would some people even have described you as "chilled"? Well, all of that can go out the window when you hit puberty. Your raging hormones may make it more difficult for you to control your emotions, and you can go from feeling completely happy, indifferent, or intensely angry to having a completely different emotion just a few minutes later.  If you find yourself suddenly feeling incredibly elated out of the blue, you may be experiencing a positive mood swing. If you were feeling fine and suddenly snap at someone or even feel like you're boiling with rage, then you may be experiencing a negative mood swing. Before, you might have thought that everything was "fine," "okay," or, at most, "pretty cool." But now, every great experience you have, whether it's hanging out with friends or eating an amazing slice of pizza, may feel like the greatest thing that ever happened to you. On the other hand, any sad experience, however minor, may make you feel intensely upset, or even "totally depressed." This new intensity of feeling is another sign that your body is adjusting to new levels of hormones. Anxiety is that jittery feeling that can bubble up in your chest, stomach, hands, and almost any part of your body when you're nervous or worried about something. You may find yourself feeling anxious about things that didn't matter to you so much before, whether it's how you did on your latest chemistry exam, how you'll perform in tonight's football game, or what the girls in your class will think of your new haircut. Anxiety can feel uncomfortable, but it's a sign that you really care about something. Everything may take on a new and more intense meaning when you're going through puberty. Girls experience some anxiety too. While you might have loved hanging out at home all weekend or going out to eat with your parents previously, you may feel yourself withdrawing from your family. During puberty, you may want to feel more control over your life and actions because you're feeling like you have less control over your body. It's only natural that you'd want to spend less time with your parents, most likely a controlling force in your life. Here are some signs that you may be withdrawing from your parents:  If you used to leave your door open and let your parents walk in any time, but now you have the urge to shut the door or even lock it. You might spend hours locked in your room, chatting with friends on social media. You also might prefer hanging out with friends more than your family. If you generally feel a need for more privacy when you didn't care if your parents were nearby before. If you're spending much more time hanging out with your friends or just out of the house. If you spend more time talking to your friends online than you spend talking to your parents. If you feel like you have less and less to say to your parents, aren't eager to tell them about your day, and don't want to hang out too long at the dinner table. This is a bit more vague, but it's an important step to finding out if you're having emotional changes from puberty. What's unfamiliar is different for everyone. Maybe you're feeling more anxious than normal, maybe you're feeling more giddy than normal, or maybe you're finding that you have more complicated feelings about your friends, parents, and members of the opposite gender. If you never used to care much about your looks, but are now thinking more and more about your hair, your clothes, your face, your weight, and the appearance of your hair and body, then you're growing more self-conscious and becoming more aware of how you may be viewed by the opposite gender. This is perfectly natural and is a sign of your developing mind.

SUMMARY: See if you're starting to feel more attracted to other people. See if you're having mood swings. See if you're feeling things more intensely. See if you're experiencing more anxiety. See if you're feeling more withdrawn from your parents. See if you're feeling unfamiliar emotions. See if you care more about your appearance.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Your diet and other health habits have a big effect on the texture of your hair. When you eat plenty of protein, nutrients, and healthy fats, your hair looks shiny and healthy. When you don't, your hair is the first place it shows. Watch and see how your hair improves when you do the following:  Eat food that contains protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and iron. Salmon, sardines, avocados, nuts, and flaxseeds are all excellent for promoting healthy hair growth. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. When you're dehydrated, your hair can end up getting dry and brittle. Avoid smoking cigarettes. Smoke damage can make hair look dull and dried out. Ingredients in your shampoo and conditioner may be making your hair look dry and dull instead of silky and shiny. Switch to all-natural shampoos and conditioners that nourish your hair instead of stripping its gleam and weighing it down. Here's what to use:  Choose sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates are harsh cleansers used in everything from dish soap to laundry detergent, and people are starting to realize they're not very good for hair. Look for shampoos that say "sulfate-free" and are made with natural cleansers. Sulfate-free shampoos are also good for those with curly and wavy hair, because they help prevent frizz. Choose a silicone-free conditioner. Silicons are added to conditioner because they make hair look shiny and smooth after the first few applications. Unfortunately, over time they build up in your hair and cause it to look weighed-down and dull. You're better off with silicone-free options. Besides feeling great, massage promotes good circulation in the scalp, which helps your hair grow faster and stronger. Do a scalp massage every day, or at least every time you take a shower. Just place your fingers on your scalp and rub it using a gentle circular motion.  To enhance your massage, try using coconut oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil. This is especially beneficial if you're worried about thinning hair. Tea tree oil, lavender oil or cedar wood oil are also healthy for hair. Trim off your split ends regularly to keep your hair in the best of health. Getting regular trims will also make your hair look shinier in appearance, since you're removing the dull, damaged parts. Choose a cut that brings out the best in your hair, and get your locks trimmed every 6-8 weeks.

SUMMARY:
Be healthy from the inside out. Use natural hair products. Massage your scalp to promote hair growth. Get regular trims.