It’s no secret that a lot of people want to grow taller. Whether they want to be a professional athlete, a model, or even a beauty queen, a lot of people would want to know how to grow taller overnight.
But is it really possible to increase your height? Is there any truth to doing exercises or taking medication that reportedly makes you grow taller? Let’s find out.
What Are the Factors Responsible for Height?
Before we talk about how to grow taller, we need to understand how people grow in the first place. By understanding how a person grows, and what factors influence height, we can find out what we can do to grow taller.
When it comes to growth, the parts of our skeleton called growth plates are responsible. These are the sections of our bones that grow, and these also determine the future size and shape of the bone.
Long bones have two growth plates, one on each end. And as a child grows older, these plates grow longer until the child reaches maturity and stops growing in height.
At this point, the growth plates start to close, and the person no longer is able to grow taller. For females, the growth plates usually close at age 13 to 15, and males usually at 15 to 17. This means that your height when you’re at this age is most probably your adult height.
There are some cases wherein an adult’s growth plates don’t close, but these are very rare circumstances. Sometimes, it could even be caused by a health condition, such as gigantism. But for the most part, it’s not possible for adults to increase their height through diets, exercises, and other things.
Genetics plays a big role
A person’s genes play a big role when it comes to their height. If your parents are of average height, chances are that you are of a similar height as well. The same goes for people with tall parents or shorter parents.
However, it is also possible for a tall person to have parents with an average or shorter height. The same goes for an averaged sized person who has parents taller than them. But generally, most people are around the height of their parents.
Aside from genetics, nutrition, exercise, and a person’s overall health can also affect their height. Still, genetics plays a bigger role and is usually the determining factor when it comes to height.
How to Grow Taller Overnight
Now that we know what factors influence growth and a person’s height, is it possible to take other steps to grow taller? Is it even possible to grow taller overnight?
Sadly, if you’re already an adult, chances are you won’t be able to grow taller naturally. However, there are things that you can do to make you seem taller, and make you feel more confident about your height.
Here are some things to remember:
Maintain proper posture
Did you know that a person’s posture affects how they feel? Even an average-sized person with a great posture can look taller than they seem. On the contrary, a tall person with bad posture might seem shorter because they are hunched over.
So how do you maintain proper posture?
- Stand with your back straight against the wall, this is how standing straight should feel
- Pull your stomach in
- Keep your shoulders back
- Keep your head straight, and let your arms hang at your sides
- Your feet should be shoulder-width apart
When you’re sitting down at work, you should also try to keep your back straight and avoid slouching. This helps maintain good posture and prevents back pain.
By having a good posture, you can make it seem that you are taller and you will also look more confident.
Eat food rich in protein and calcium
Food rich in protein and calcium won’t necessarily make adults grow taller, but they can help children and teenagers.
Calcium helps build strong bones, and protein helps fuel the growth that happens during puberty. This is why protein and calcium are so important to growing children.
For adults, it’s still a good idea to eat foods rich in protein in calcium. Calcium helps keep the bones strong, and prevents the degradation of bones, called osteoporosis. In addition, protein can help keep your muscles strong and helps you maintain proper posture.
Always make sure to eat a balanced diet of carbohydrates, protein, and fats.
Exercise daily
Lastly, exercise is important when it comes to a person’s height. By staying fit and healthy, children and teenagers can make sure that they grow well during puberty.
For adults, exercise helps maintain the strength of the bones and also strengthens the muscles that support the body. This makes it easier to maintain proper posture, as well as prevents back pain and other problems.
Once a person has reached their maximum height during puberty, it’s deemed impossible to grow taller without the assistance of risky surgery. The aforementioned tips might not necessarily allow you to grow taller, but they can improve your overall health, give you proper posture, and prevent back problems in the future.
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