How to Grow Taller

So you want to Grow Taller in Height?

Since height is a trait that depends on genes inherited from your parents, it's not really something that we have that much control over. Of course that doesn't mean you can't fulfil your genetic height potential - many people may have a 'programmed height' of 6 foot, but various factors during childhood might mean they inhibit their growth and not reach that potential, while others do reach their maximum.

Most people by the age of 21 will have finished growing - it is rare for anybody to grow noticeably beyond that, but not impossible. Boys generally keep growing later than girls.

Growth in your 20's

If you're already in your 20's then the easiest way for you to grow taller is simply by purchasing lifts or elevator shoes. Sure, your barefoot height won't change, but how other people perceive you in public will - lifts might add anywhere from 1-1.5 inches and the wearing of elevator shoes certainly improves how you stand. Anything more than an extra 1-1.5 inches becomes impractical and would start to feel like you are wearing ladies high heels.

There are a myriad of programs (and scammers who try to sell these programs by using Photos from Celebheights as 'Proof' of growth, pills or exercises out there that purport to increase your height - I used to have an exercise booklet for 'growing taller' that my Dad had from his own youth. All of the exercises you see today are basically the same ones that have been around for 60+ years. The claims in that old leaflet were rather hilarious - 'J Brown writes to tell us he gained 5 inches after 3 months of using the program' etc - absolute pie in the sky stuff. While prolonged exercise and stretching may add a little bit and improve your posture, how many people out there have posted actual decent proof of their height increase? Not many, because it is notoriously difficult once you are finished growing to actively increase your barefoot height - over-stretching with weights etc might even do damage to your innards.

Growth in your Teens

For youngsters whose growth plates haven't closed, there is still a chance to reach the maximum height that you can. These are my own tidbits of information, the do's and dont's of gaining height as you grow:

1. Sleep, sleep, sleep. Your body needs time to heal, recover and grow. Staying up late playing video games or reading celebheights won't help you grow bigger. Give your body a good nights sleep. It will thank you in the long run.

2. Fuel. Give your body enough of it and a good variety of foods. Try to minimise the junk stuff, the fizzy drinks etc. Ensure your body is getting enough vitamins and minerals that ensure your bones grow and develop well.

3. Exercise. Keeping fit helps promote growth hormone production, a vital component in helping you to grow taller. Sitting in front of the tv or computer for hours a day is time better spent going for a walk, playing a game or taking part in some sports - heck, help out around the house or garden, that not only gets you moving, it achieves something of worth. I would avoid doing any exercises not long out of bed, I'd wait a few hours at least.

4. Reduce Stress. Don't worry about your height. Don't measure it or fret too much. Enjoy life, be kind to your fellow humans, do things that help bring moments of joy into your own, family and friends life.

5. Avoid Smoking. Don't touch them. Smoking is for fools. There's a reason they plaster warnings on packets like 'Smoking Kills' - it's like throwing money down a drain and damaging your body in the process. If you are wanting to reach your maximum potential, puffing away on a pack of smokes each day isn't going to be helping you towards that goal.

6. Avoid Steroids (pills or creams). I can speak from experience of seeing a family member who spent years having topical creams applied to their body go from being tallest in class to not growing much past the age 12...all down to the body being damaged by overuse of steroid based creams.

How to Look Taller

If you're average height or below and want to look a bit taller, there are other subtle ways that might help. People see your height through their eyes, so there are some tips celebheights can give you to help with how other people will perceive you.

1. If you're shorter than average, don't draw attention to it or talk much about the subject of height itself. If other people aren't thinking about the subject, they are less likely to think about or comment on your own height.

2. Following on from point 1, make people forget or disassociate height with your persona. Work on positive actions, and increase your own confidence and personality. Make people remember and leave with them a positive reinforcing impression akin to 'That guy/girl is so kind, friendly, personable, loving, positive, helpful', rather than having them remember the only thing about you being 'that guy/girl is short'.

3. Part of improving your confidence is by trying out new things and making an effort. Don't get stuck in the same routine, push the boundaries and interact with more people. 4. What clothes can you wear to make yourself look taller? Avoid baggy/sagging clothes. For men, a well fitted suit can not only make you feel different, but it adds to the perception other people have of you. Low waisted trousers/jeans or turned up trousers should be avoided. Subtle striping in pants/trousers can help elongate the legs. For women, of course a bit of heel and tight jeans/leggings or shorter skirt will accentuate the shape of the legs. Also for ladies, wearing certain styles of make-up, the way you have your hair, even enhancing your cleavage, all help draw attention away from height. With men, a nice neat hairstyle, with a bit of volume on top helps.

5. Out in public, remember that pavements have a slope so water drains away. Walking on the high side of the pavement certainly is a better advantage to a shorter person than walking on the low side, which would only make you appear even shorter. Posture is another factor some people forget - maintaining a simple daily stretch/exercise routine that helps your core/back muscles will help in how you hold yourself. Don't fall into bad habits - if you find yourself slouching, correct it. Since other people judge height through their eyes, remember to keep your eye-level horizontal and don't let your head/eyes tilt down too much. The way you walk could be worked on - head held high, shoulders back. That's one reason some celebrities get guessed smaller - they are keeping their head down a bit trying not to get bothered too much, hoping they are left alone.

Extreme method to grow taller

If you are past your natural growing age and have tried stretching, realising it doesn't really add anything for you, then there is one more extreme method that can definitely add barefoot height: leg lengthening.

This process really is a last resort though, for people who may be suffering a long-term anxiety or depression about their height and believe that gaining several inches in permanent height would improve their life drastically. It's certainly not a decision anybody should take lightly, because not only is it very costly (many many thousands), it is painful and will require a great deal of treatment and recovery/recuperation time. It is also a risky procedure, although techniques are improving.

It involves breaking the fibula (or fibula/tibia) and attaching external or internal fixators that allow the legs to be stretched by tiny amounts (0.5-2mm) each day. The body builds new bone and tissue to try to 'join together' the tiny gap that is created. The cumulative effect of continually stretching this gap means that over a few months a person can essentially grow 2-3 inches in permanent height. There are even a few rare instances of people who have had the process done on their femurs and after recovery decided to have it done on their lower legs, gaining a remarkable 6 inches in total height.

I personally would not recommend contemplating such a drastic procedure, unless your height becomes a daily burden that not only effects your general day to day life, but might also be having a damaging and long-term effect on your mental health.