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If you've ever wished you were taller, there are a few things you can do to increase your height. Although genetics largely determines how tall you'll become, you can make dietary changes that help you grow to your full height potential, especially if you're under 25. Once your bones have stopped growing and fusing, stretching and improving your posture can help you appear taller. Try to do the stretches after you've been sitting since the discs in your spine compress, which makes you look shorter.
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Touch your toes every day to strengthen your lower back and improve flexibility. Help your spine decompress by stretching it daily. Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart and bend your hips forward so your arms drop down. Keep bending until you feel tension and hold your hands down for 10 to 30 seconds.- Don't bend from your upper back or you won't stretch the lower back muscles properly.
Tip: If you can't reach your toes, don't worry! You'll become more flexible if you stretch every day, so give yourself some time.
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Try to do 5 to 30 bridge exercises a day to stretch your lower back. Lay flat on your back and keep your feet on the floor with your knees bent. Place your arms flat at your side and squeeze your lower abdominal muscles. Lift your hips while you keep your back on the floor and hold this position while you take 3 big breaths. Then, lower your hips to the ground and repeat the exercise at least 4 more times. [1] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Bridge exercises are also called pelvic tilts. They stretch your hip flexors, which can decompress your spine so you're able to sit or stand a little taller.
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Include hip flexor stretches in your daily workout. Sitting throughout most of the day can push down on your lower back and hips. To stretch yourself out, especially after you've been sitting at a desk, put a cushion on the ground and bend 1 knee onto it. Keep your other knee in front of you so your leg is bent at a 90-degree angle. Then, lean your hips forward until you feel a stretch in your thigh and hold the stretch for 30 seconds. [2] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Repeat the hip flexor stretch 3 times for each leg every day.
- If you have a hard time kneeling, stay standing and slide 1 of your legs forward until it bends slightly. Then, repeat this for the other leg.
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Practice the cobra pose to relieve back pressure and stretch out your spine. If you find yourself hunching your shoulders forward, take a minute to do a yoga pose that stretches your back out. Lie flat on your belly and keep the palms of your hands flat on your sides. Slowly lift your chest up while you straighten your arms and breathe deeply. Don't tense up the muscles in your lower back or bottom. Instead, relax to decompress your spine. [3] X Research source
- To help your spine stretch out even more when you come out of the pose, get on all fours before you move down into child's pose .
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Exercise throughout the week to maintain your flexibility. There's not a specific sport or exercise that makes you grow taller. Instead, exercising regularly encourages your body to release human growth hormones and repair itself. Being physically active also helps you stay flexible, so it's easier to stretch out. [4] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Choose sports or activities that you enjoy so you're more likely to do them regularly. For example, try swimming if you want a low-impact form of exercise that also helps you stretch your arms, legs, and back.
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Stand tall while you imagine a straight line passing through your body. It's easy to shift weight to 1 foot or hunch over when you're standing, but this can actually make you look shorter than you are. To reach your full height, stand straight and keep your shoulders pulled back. Then, imagine that you can see a straight line going from the ceiling down through your body. [5] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source
- Imagine the straight line whenever you notice yourself slouching throughout the day. It will take some practice, but eventually, you'll stand straight and tall without even thinking of it.
Tip: To tell if you're standing straight, stand against a wall so your feet are a few inches in front of you. Your back, shoulders, and bottom should all be flat against the wall. Then, step forward to see if you can still stand straight.
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Sit with your feet flat on the floor and your back straight so you sit tall. Unfortunately, sitting a lot throughout the day can push down on your spine so you appear a little shorter. To prevent some of that pressure, sit in your chair so your feet are flat in front of you and sit so your back forms a 90-degree angle with your legs. [6] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
- It's also a good idea to get up and stretch or walk around once an hour so your muscles stay flexible.
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Do yoga or tai chi to help you align your spine. Stretching is important, but having good posture takes strength and flexibility. Practice yoga poses or tai chi movements to focus on your posture and how your body moves. You'll become more aware of how you sit, stand, and walk throughout the day. [7] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source
- For example, stand up straight to do the mountain pose. Keep your feet together and stand so your weight is balanced across them. Hold your arms down at your sides while you draw your shoulder blades back. Breathe in and stand in the pose for 30 to 60 seconds.
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Learn Pilates to improve your flexibility and make you more aware of your posture. Although Pilates doesn't make you grow taller, it will make you more mindful of your posture. By standing tall, tucking your shoulders back, and practicing regular Pilates stretches, you can reach your full height instead of slumping forward. [8] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Check your local community center for classes they offer. You may be able to sign up for a beginner or intermediate Pilates class.
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Include milk or yogurt at every meal to help you grow. Eating a healthy diet is key for growing to your full potential, but some dairy foods have been shown to be critical for growing tall. Try to eat about 3 servings of milk or yogurt every day. [9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Cheese doesn't contain the same dairy proteins that are responsible for height growth, so stick to milk and yogurt. It doesn't matter if they're full-fat, low-fat, or nonfat.
Tip: Milk and yogurt are high in calcium, which is important for building strong bones. To get other sources of calcium in your diet, eat broccoli, canned salmon, beans, and almonds.
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Eat a balanced diet so you get the nutrients you need to grow tall. Your body needs a mix of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals so you can grow. The best way to get the nutrients you need is to eat a variety of healthy foods at every meal. Look at your plate and try to dish up:
- Fruits and vegetables, such as apples, dried fruits , salad, or steamed vegetables
- Whole grains, such as whole-wheat bread or brown rice
- Milk or yogurt
- Protein-rich food, such as beans, lean meat, eggs, nuts, or seeds
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Avoid taking supplements that promise to make you taller. You may see nutritional supplements for sale that claim to help you grow tall. Unfortunately, none of these are federally regulated and supplements haven't been shown to increase height. Instead of taking supplements, focus on making healthy choices while you're growing.
- Although caffeine and alcohol don't stunt your growth, they can cause other health problems. Instead of reaching for an alcoholic or caffeinated drink, try milk which is proven to help you grow taller.
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Get between 7 and 11 hours of sleep every night so your body can grow. Your body releases human growth hormone while you sleep, which is why kids need so much more sleep than grownups. If you're between 6 and 13 years old, try to sleep 9 to 11 hours a night. If you're between 14 and 17, get 8 to 10 hours. Adults need about 7 to 9 hours. [10] X Research source
- Your body also repairs itself while you sleep, so you'll feel better after a full night's sleep.
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Can Stretching Impact Your Ability To Gain Muscle?
Sample Stretches and Foods to Help You Get Taller
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow long should we touch our toes?Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.Hold stretches for at least 20 seconds or longer (up to 60 seconds) if you wish.
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QuestionDo stretches build muscle?Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.No, stretching does not build muscle. Only working the muscle will build it, but stretching does elongate the muscle fibers.
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QuestionI am 13 years old. I am 4' 8'' and all of my friends are very tall. Everybody looks at me and thinks I'm about 10 years old. How and when can I grow more?Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.You may still grow. We don't stop growing completely until we are in our early 20's. Doing an exercise for 2 or 3 months will not help much, though. It will be better for your spine to continue with a daily or every other day routine of strengthening and stretching until you reach your 20's or even forever. Remember, you have one body to last your lifetime.
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Tips
- Feel free to try any lumbar stretches that keep your hips and lower back flexible since these can decompress your spine so you look taller. [11] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to sourceThanks
- There aren't studies showing whether or not smoking tobacco makes you shorter, also research suggests that being around secondhand smoke can prevent you reaching your height potential. [12] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to sourceThanks
- If you feel pain when doing any of the stretches or exercises, stop and take a break. If it keeps hurting when you resume them, stop to reduce your risk of injury.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Stand with your back against a wall, then walk forward. Pay attention to how you’re holding your body—if you stay in this position when you walk you’ll look and feel taller.
- Eat the right amount of food every day, malnutrition can lead to stunted growth.
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Warnings
- There are no regulated supplements proven to help you grow taller, so don't take products that promise to quickly make you taller.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10265-back-strains-and-sprains
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23978-hip-flexor-strain
- ↑ https://www.acefitness.org/resources/everyone/exercise-library/16/cobra/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8614759
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/4-ways-to-turn-good-posture-into-less-back-pain
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/chair-exercises-and-limited-mobility-fitness.htm
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/stand-tall
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5510118/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3740511/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To get taller by stretching, do a few stretches every morning right when you get out of bed. Try bending over and touching your toes, lying on the ground and doing a bridge stretch, and doing a yoga cobra pose. You can also get taller by doing exercises that stretch your body, like swimming and pilates. On top of stretching every day, eat a balanced diet and make sure you're getting 7-9 hours of sleep to help your body grow. Also, avoid things that can stunt your growth, like alcohol and tobacco. To learn more about how to maintain good posture from our Personal Trainer co-author, keep reading the article!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,879,266 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I honestly always thought about being short for life because I live in a very toxic house hold and everyone one would say exercising wouldnt make me tall, until I tried it. Believe or not, in like the fourth month, I saw that I was increasing in height and I was so excited that made me want to stretch even more. Thank you so much! " ..." more
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"I honestly always thought about being short for life because I live in a very toxic house hold and everyone one would say exercising wouldnt make me tall, until I tried it. Believe or not, in like the fourth month, I saw that I was increasing in height and I was so excited that made me want to stretch even more. Thank you so much! "
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"The tips about different kinds of stretching, eating healthy foods, getting enough time of sleep, drinking plenty of water and other tips just make me upbeat and helps me feel motivated that there still some ways I can grow taller."
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"I am about average height, but am impatient and always wanted to go on a roller coaster. After doing a couple of these exercises, I immediately realized that I got slightly taller. Thank you. I will do this daily."
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"I used to be the shortest person in my class but after doing these stretches I actually have gotten taller! Now me and my best friend are the same height whereas before she would hover over me!"
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"This helped, because I'm 5'0". I'm 11, and I don't want to be the shortest kid in class. I've been doing this for days, and it's working very well. Thank you for your help."
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