I agree with the others! Doing massages and a few braidouts here and there will give your hair a break from being confined so much. Also, your bun may
feel and look loose to you with your head held upright-- but you should always do a tension check test before you leave the bathroom. If you can't tilt your head to your chest and roll your head from side to side without feeling any tension-- something is being stressed and its too tight.
ITA w/ MsNadi on the sleeping. I am a daily bunner and I never sleep with the bun/ponytail intact. I always remove the holder, moisturize, pin it up into a loose bun, and tie that down.
Sometimes I don't even use hair pins. Just loop and tie it down. If your hair is constricted as you toss and turn, it may put a hurtin' on those edges. Thats why when you see little girls with that tell-tell "halo" of little sprouting hairs--- sticking out around the ponytail in a circle, it's usually breakage from sleeping in a holder.
I also make sure to alternate my partings in the front. I do side, middle, other side, and sometimes no part to change it up from week to week. I don't like to keep it all slicked back into the same pattern day in and day out. That can wear on your hair after awhile. I also wear "sweeps/swoops" in the front. This keeps you from pulling the hair up front straight back into the pony. You can simply tuck the sweep behind your ear and pin it, or loosely incorporate it into the ponytail. If you make the thinning side apart of the main swoop, it will take tension off that area. Switching it up adds interest and gives your edges on all sides much needed breaks. (
breaks, hahaa No pun in intended
)